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: 63/72
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 63 = 32 × 7
- 72 = 23 × 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 (63; 72) = 32 = 9
63/72 = (63 ÷ 9)/(72 ÷ 9) = 7/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
63/72 = (32 × 7)/(23 × 32) = ((32 × 7) ÷ 32)/((23 × 32) ÷ 32) = 7/8
The fraction: 70/80
- 70 = 2 × 5 × 7
- 80 = 24 × 5
- GCF (70; 80) = 2 × 5 = 10
70/80 = (70 ÷ 10)/(80 ÷ 10) = 7/8
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
70/80 = (2 × 5 × 7)/(24 × 5) = ((2 × 5 × 7) ÷ (2 × 5))/((24 × 5) ÷ (2 × 5)) = 7/8
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: