3

How to

Multiply Fractions

Facts to Know
All fractions can be multiplied by multiplying the numerators and then multiplying the denominators. You dont need common denominators to multiply. Sample: Andrew can jog a mile in 1 of an hour. Lauren can run the same distance in 1 that time. 4 2 How long would it take Lauren to run a mile? To find out, you need to multiply 1 by 1 . 2 4 Step 1 Multiply the numerators. 1x1=1 Step 2 Multiply the denominators. 2x4=8 1 x1 = 1 x1 = 1 Step 3 Write the answer as a fraction. 2 4 2x4 8 Sometimes the answer to a multiplication problem can be reduced.

Sample: 3 x1 =? 4 6 Step 1 Multiply the fractions. Step 2 Write the fraction in simplest form by dividing the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor, which in this case is 3.

3 3 x1 = 4 6 24 3 3 = 1 24 3 8

Multiplying Three Fractions Now and then you will have to multiply three fractions together. Sample: 2 x1 x1 =? 3 5 3 Step 1 Multiply the numerators of the first two fractions. Then multiply that answer by the numerator of the third fraction. Step 2 Multiply the denominators of the first two fractions. Then multiply that answer by the denominator of the third fraction. Write fraction in simplest form, if possible. 2 is reduced as far as it can be. The fraction 45 2 2 x1 2 x1 = = 3 x 5 15 x 3 45

Step 3

13

How to

Multiply Fractions

Facts to Know (cont.)

Canceling as a Shortcut Sometimes the fractions in a multiplication problem can be canceled. Canceling is a shortcut to reducing. To cancel find a number that divides evenly into both the numerator and denominator of the problem. 7 =? Sample: 3 x 4 24 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Find a number that will divide evenly. The number 3 will divide evenly into 3 and 24. Cancel 3 and 24 by 3. 3 3 = 1 24 3 = 8 1 Multiply across by the new numbers. 3 7 = 7 x 4 24 32 Reduce if possible, but by canceling you already did some of the 8 work of reducing.

Multiplying Fractions and Whole Numbers When multiplying a fraction by a whole number, turn the whole number into a fraction with a denominator of 1. Sample: Andrew plans to sprint 3 of a mile each day for four days in a row as part of his regular 5 workout. How many miles will this total? You will need to multiply 3 by 4. 5 Step 1 Write 4 as an improper fraction with a denominator of 1. 4=4 1 Step 2 Multiply across. Step 3 Change the improper fraction to a whole or mixed number.3 x 4 = 12 = 22 5 1 5 5

Multiplying Mixed Numbers When multiplying mixed numbers, it is usually helpful to change the mixed number to an improper fraction. Sample: 3 2 x41 =? 5 3 Step 1 Change both mixed numbers to improper fractions. 32 = (3 x 5) + 2 = 17 5 5 41 = (4 x 3) + 1 = 13 3 3 17 13 221 Step 2 Multiply across the new numbers. x = 5 3 15 Step 3 Change the improper fraction to a whole or mixed number. 221 11 = 14 15 15

14

Practice

Multiplying Fractions
2 x3 = 9 4 20 9 x4 x = 21 16 5

Directions: Multiply the fractions. Remember to write the answer in simplest form when possible. 1. 1 x3 = 2 4 12. 23.

2.

2 x1 = 3 7

13.

3 x2 = 8 5

24.

3 2 = x5 x 4 7 11

3.

3 x3 = 8 5

14.

5 x7 = 8 9

25.

11 x 3 = 12 4

4.

1 x6 = 5 7

15.

1 x1 x1 = 2 2 2

26.

7 2 = x 8 14

5.

1 x1 = 2 3

16.

1 x1 x4 = 2 4 5

27.

5 = 4 x 15 13

6.

2 x1 = 3 4

17.

1 x2 x3 = 2 3 5

28.

3 x 10 = 5 21

7.

1 x6 = 3 7

18.

5 14 = x 3 x 9 7 15

29.

121 x 10 = 300 11

8.

4 x1 = 9 2

19.

6 x7 x4 = 7 8 5

30.

125 320 x = 470 1000

9.

1 x1 = 2 2

20.

11 x 10 x3 = 15 11 4

31.

289 2 = x 1222 17

10.

1 x3 = 2 2

21.

9 x1 x8 = 10 4 9

32.

14 15 x = 525 320

11.

1 x3 = 3 4

22.

5 14 x 2 = x 6 15 21

15

Practice Multiplying Fractions

Directions: Multiply the fractions and whole numbers. Use canceling whenever you can. 1. 1 x5= 4 5. 2 x6= 7 9. 2 x4= 9 13. 8x2 = 3

2.

4x2 = 3

6.

1 x3= 10

10.

3 x3= 8

14.

7x2 = 3

3.

1 x7= 6

7.

7 x7= 8

11.

5x2 = 3

15.

4x3 = 5

4.

6x3 = 5

8.

3x4 = 5

12.

2 x5= 3

16.

7 x1 = 8 2

Directions: Multiply the mixed numbers. Use canceling whenever you can. 17. 33 x2 = 4 3 21. 24 x31 = 7 9 25. 5 x26 1 x22 = 16 7 5

18.

3 = 33 x 7 10

22.

9 x11 1 = 11 6

26.

17 x3 x22 = 8 4 9

19.

5 x22 = 8 9

23.

15 x15 = 9 7

27.

25 x1 x41 = 6 7 4

20.

9 = 8 x 1 16 15

24.

2 = 25 x2 8 15

28.

2 x1 82 x = 8 13 7

16