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: 6/18
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 6 = 2 × 3
- 18 = 2 × 32
- 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 (6; 18) = 2 × 3 = 6
6/18 = (6 ÷ 6)/(18 ÷ 6) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
6/18 = (2 × 3)/(2 × 32) = ((2 × 3) ÷ (2 × 3))/((2 × 32) ÷ (2 × 3)) = 1/3
The fraction: 8/24
- 8 = 23
- 24 = 23 × 3
- GCF (8; 24) = 23 = 8
8/24 = (8 ÷ 8)/(24 ÷ 8) = 1/3
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
8/24 = 23/(23 × 3) = (23 ÷ 23)/((23 × 3) ÷ 23) = 1/3
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: