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: 57/38
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 57 = 3 × 19
- 38 = 2 × 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 (57; 38) = 19
57/38 = (57 ÷ 19)/(38 ÷ 19) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
57/38 = (3 × 19)/(2 × 19) = ((3 × 19) ÷ 19)/((2 × 19) ÷ 19) = 3/2
The fraction: 60/40
- 60 = 22 × 3 × 5
- 40 = 23 × 5
- GCF (60; 40) = 22 × 5 = 20
60/40 = (60 ÷ 20)/(40 ÷ 20) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
60/40 = (22 × 3 × 5)/(23 × 5) = ((22 × 3 × 5) ÷ (22 × 5))/((23 × 5) ÷ (22 × 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: