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: 75/100
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 75 = 3 × 52
- 100 = 22 × 52
- 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 (75; 100) = 52 = 25
75/100 = (75 ÷ 25)/(100 ÷ 25) = 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
75/100 = (3 × 52)/(22 × 52) = ((3 × 52) ÷ 52)/((22 × 52) ÷ 52) = 3/4
The fraction: 9/12
- 9 = 32
- 12 = 22 × 3
- GCF (9; 12) = 3
9/12 = (9 ÷ 3)/(12 ÷ 3) = 3/4
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
9/12 = 32/(22 × 3) = (32 ÷ 3)/((22 × 3) ÷ 3) = 3/4
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: