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: 66/132
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 66 = 2 × 3 × 11
- 132 = 22 × 3 × 11
- 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 (66; 132) = 2 × 3 × 11 = 66
66/132 = (66 ÷ 66)/(132 ÷ 66) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
66/132 = (2 × 3 × 11)/(22 × 3 × 11) = ((2 × 3 × 11) ÷ (2 × 3 × 11))/((22 × 3 × 11) ÷ (2 × 3 × 11)) = 1/2
The fraction: 71/142
- 71 is a prime number.
- 142 = 2 × 71
- GCF (71; 142) = 71
71/142 = (71 ÷ 71)/(142 ÷ 71) = 1/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
71/142 = 71/(2 × 71) = (71 ÷ 71)/((2 × 71) ÷ 71) = 1/2
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: