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: 52/78
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 52 = 22 × 13
- 78 = 2 × 3 × 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 (52; 78) = 2 × 13 = 26
52/78 = (52 ÷ 26)/(78 ÷ 26) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
52/78 = (22 × 13)/(2 × 3 × 13) = ((22 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13))/((2 × 3 × 13) ÷ (2 × 13)) = 2/3
The fraction: 56/84
- 56 = 23 × 7
- 84 = 22 × 3 × 7
- GCF (56; 84) = 22 × 7 = 28
56/84 = (56 ÷ 28)/(84 ÷ 28) = 2/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
56/84 = (23 × 7)/(22 × 3 × 7) = ((23 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7))/((22 × 3 × 7) ÷ (22 × 7)) = 2/3
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: