Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
By reducing the values of the numerators and denominators of the fractions, further calculations with these fractions become easier to do.
To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
21/12 = (3 × 7)/(22 × 3) = ((3 × 7) ÷ 3)/((22 × 3) ÷ 3) = 7/4
7/4 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
7 is a prime number.
4 = 22
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: