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: 48/60
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 48 = 24 × 3
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 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 (48; 60) = 22 × 3 = 12
48/60 = (48 ÷ 12)/(60 ÷ 12) = 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
48/60 = (24 × 3)/(22 × 3 × 5) = ((24 × 3) ÷ (22 × 3))/((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 3)) = 4/5
The fraction: 56/70
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- GCF (56; 70) = 2 × 7 = 14
56/70 = (56 ÷ 14)/(70 ÷ 14) = 4/5
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
56/70 = (23 × 7)/(2 × 5 × 7) = ((23 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7))/((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ (2 × 7)) = 4/5
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: