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.
- 21/15 = - (3 × 7)/(3 × 5) = - ((3 × 7) ÷ 3)/((3 × 5) ÷ 3) = - 7/5
- 7/5 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
7 is a prime number.
5 is a prime number.
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: