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