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: 35/50
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 35 = 5 × 7
- 50 = 2 × 52
- 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 (35; 50) = 5
35/50 = (35 ÷ 5)/(50 ÷ 5) = 7/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
35/50 = (5 × 7)/(2 × 52) = ((5 × 7) ÷ 5)/((2 × 52) ÷ 5) = 7/10
The fraction: 42/60
- 42 = 2 × 3 × 7
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- GCF (42; 60) = 2 × 3 = 6
42/60 = (42 ÷ 6)/(60 ÷ 6) = 7/10
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
42/60 = (2 × 3 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 5) = ((2 × 3 × 7) ÷ (2 × 3))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 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: