Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: 224/320
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 224 = 25 × 7
- 320 = 26 × 5
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (224; 320) = 25 = 32
224/320 = (224 ÷ 32)/(320 ÷ 32) = 7/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
224/320 = (25 × 7)/(26 × 5) = ((25 × 7) ÷ 25)/((26 × 5) ÷ 25) = 7/10
The fraction: 231/330
- 231 = 3 × 7 × 11
- 330 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 11
- GCF (231; 330) = 3 × 11 = 33
231/330 = (231 ÷ 33)/(330 ÷ 33) = 7/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
231/330 = (3 × 7 × 11)/(2 × 3 × 5 × 11) = ((3 × 7 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11))/((2 × 3 × 5 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11)) = 7/10
The fractions are equal.
This is one of the simplest cases when comparing two fractions.
Not only are the numerators of the fractions equal but their denominators are also equal.
::: The operation of comparing fractions :::
The final answer: