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: 38/40
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 40 = 23 × 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 (38; 40) = 2
38/40 = (38 ÷ 2)/(40 ÷ 2) = 19/20
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
38/40 = (2 × 19)/(23 × 5) = ((2 × 19) ÷ 2)/((23 × 5) ÷ 2) = 19/20
The fraction: 95/100
- 95 = 5 × 19
- 100 = 22 × 52
- GCF (95; 100) = 5
95/100 = (95 ÷ 5)/(100 ÷ 5) = 19/20
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
95/100 = (5 × 19)/(22 × 52) = ((5 × 19) ÷ 5)/((22 × 52) ÷ 5) = 19/20
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: