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: 28/32
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 28 = 22 × 7
- 32 = 25
- 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 (28; 32) = 22 = 4
28/32 = (28 ÷ 4)/(32 ÷ 4) = 7/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
28/32 = (22 × 7)/25 = ((22 × 7) ÷ 22)/(25 ÷ 22) = 7/8
The fraction: 35/40
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (35; 40) = 5
35/40 = (35 ÷ 5)/(40 ÷ 5) = 7/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
35/40 = (5 × 7)/(23 × 5) = ((5 × 7) ÷ 5)/((23 × 5) ÷ 5) = 7/8
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: