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: 39/26
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 39 = 3 × 13
- 26 = 2 × 13
- 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 (39; 26) = 13
39/26 = (39 ÷ 13)/(26 ÷ 13) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
39/26 = (3 × 13)/(2 × 13) = ((3 × 13) ÷ 13)/((2 × 13) ÷ 13) = 3/2
The fraction: 45/30
- 45 = 32 × 5
- 30 = 2 × 3 × 5
- GCF (45; 30) = 3 × 5 = 15
45/30 = (45 ÷ 15)/(30 ÷ 15) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
45/30 = (32 × 5)/(2 × 3 × 5) = ((32 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5))/((2 × 3 × 5) ÷ (3 × 5)) = 3/2
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: