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: 30/45
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- 45 = 32 × 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 (30; 45) = 3 × 5 = 15
30/45 = (30 ÷ 15)/(45 ÷ 15) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
30/45 = (2 × 3 × 5)/(32 × 5) = ((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5))/((32 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5)) = 2/3
The fraction: 36/54
- 36 = 22 × 32
- 54 = 2 × 33
- GCF (36; 54) = 2 × 32 = 18
36/54 = (36 ÷ 18)/(54 ÷ 18) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
36/54 = (22 × 32)/(2 × 33) = ((22 × 32) ÷ (2 × 32))/((2 × 33) ÷ (2 × 32)) = 2/3
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: