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Multiplying Fractions

Introduction

Multiplying fractions is as simple as multiplying the numerators together, and then multiplying the denominators together. Note: Improper fractions are multiplied in the same way.

Terms

Fractions - Fractions are used when using numbers to express parts of whole.

Lesson

When given two or more fractions to multiply together, we first multiply all the numerators – this becomes the numerator of the answer. We can then multiply the denominators together to get the denominator of the answer. So if we are given 1578dfrac{1}{5} * dfrac{7}{8} the numerators are multiplied (17=71*7=7) and the denominators are multiplied (58=405*8 = 40) giving as 740 rac{7}{40} as the answer.

Here is another example:

2349=2439=827dfrac{2}{3} * dfrac{4}{9} = dfrac{2*4}{3*9} = dfrac{8}{27}

Examples

Multiplying Fractions (Example #1)

2515\dfrac{2}{5} * \dfrac{1}{5}
(21)(55)\dfrac{(2 * 1)}{(5 * 5)}
225\dfrac{2}{25}

Multiplying Fractions (Example #2)

3445\dfrac{3}{4} * \dfrac{4}{5}
(34)(45)\dfrac{(3 * 4)}{(4 * 5)}
(341)(415)\dfrac{(3 * 4^1)}{(4^1 * 5)}
35\dfrac{3}{5}

Multiplying Fractions (Example #3)

91045\dfrac{9}{10} * \dfrac{4}{5}
(94)(105)\dfrac{(9 * 4)}{(10 * 5)}
(942)(1055)\dfrac{(9 * 4^2)}{(10^5 * 5)}
1825\dfrac{18}{25}

Multiplying Fractions (Example #4)

1214\dfrac{1}{2} * \dfrac{1}{4}
(11)(24)\dfrac{(1 * 1)}{(2 * 4)}
18\dfrac{1}{8}

Multiplying Fractions Worksheets (PDF)

Multiplying Fractions Worksheet 1

Multiplying Fractions Worksheet 2

Multiplying Fractions Worksheet 3

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