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: 99/66
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 99 = 32 × 11
- 66 = 2 × 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 (99; 66) = 3 × 11 = 33
99/66 = (99 ÷ 33)/(66 ÷ 33) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
99/66 = (32 × 11)/(2 × 3 × 11) = ((32 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11))/((2 × 3 × 11) ÷ (3 × 11)) = 3/2
The fraction: 102/68
- 102 = 2 × 3 × 17
- 68 = 22 × 17
- GCF (102; 68) = 2 × 17 = 34
102/68 = (102 ÷ 34)/(68 ÷ 34) = 3/2
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
102/68 = (2 × 3 × 17)/(22 × 17) = ((2 × 3 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17))/((22 × 17) ÷ (2 × 17)) = 3/2
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: