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: 38/76
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 38 = 2 × 19
- 76 = 22 × 19
- 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; 76) = 2 × 19 = 38
38/76 = (38 ÷ 38)/(76 ÷ 38) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
38/76 = (2 × 19)/(22 × 19) = ((2 × 19) ÷ (2 × 19))/((22 × 19) ÷ (2 × 19)) = 1/2
The fraction: 41/82
- 41 is a prime number.
- 82 = 2 × 41
- GCF (41; 82) = 41
41/82 = (41 ÷ 41)/(82 ÷ 41) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
41/82 = 41/(2 × 41) = (41 ÷ 41)/((2 × 41) ÷ 41) = 1/2
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: