Multiplying Fractions
🎬 Video: How to Multiply Fractions
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How to Multiply Fractions (General Method)? (0:01)
The general method for multiplying fractions follows these 3 steps:
For example: $$\frac{4}{7} \times \frac{3}{8} = ?$$
- Step 1: Multiply the numerators:
$$4 \times 3 = 12$$ - Step 2: Multiply the denominators:
$$7 \times 8 = 56$$ - Step 3: Simplify the fraction if possible:
$$\frac{12}{56} = \frac{3}{14}$$
Cross-Canceling for Multiplying Fractions (0:23)
Cross-canceling is a useful trick that simplifies fraction multiplication before multiplying, making calculations easier.
For example:
$$\frac{11}{24} \times \frac{36}{55} = ?$$
- Step 1: Identify Common Factors
Check if the numerator of one fraction and the denominator of the other have a common factor.- 11 and 55 share a factor of 11
- 36 and 24 share a factor of 12
- Step 2: Divide by the Common Factors
Reduce those numbers by dividing both by their common factor.- 11 and 55 become 1 and 5
- 36 and 24 become 3 and 2
- Step 3: Multiply the Simplified Numerators and Denominators
$$\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{5} = \frac{1 \times 3}{2 \times 5} = \frac{3}{10}$$ - Step 4: Double-check for Further Simplification
Since 3 and 10 have no common factors other than 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.
How to Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers? (1:30)
To multiply a fraction by a whole number, rewrite the whole number as a fraction with a denominator of 1.
For example: A piano has 88 keys, and $\large \frac{13}{22}$ of them are black. To find the number of black keys, we multiply:
$$ 88 \times \frac{13}{22} = ? $$
- Step 1: Rewrite the Whole Number as a Fraction
$$ \frac{88}{1} \times \frac{13}{22} $$
- Step 2: Simplify Using Cross-Canceling
- The greatest common factor (GCF) between 88 and 22 is 22.
- So 88 and 22 become 4 and 1.
- Step 3: Multiply the Simplified Fractions
$$ \frac{4}{1} \times \frac{13}{1} = \frac{52}{1} = 52 $$
The answer: There are 52 black keys on the piano.
How to Multiply Mixed Numbers? (2:18)
A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction. To multiply mixed numbers with fractions, you must convert them into improper fractions first.
For example,
$$ 3 \frac{2}{5} \times 5 = ? $$
Step 1: Convert the Mixed Number
$$ 3 \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3 \times 5 + 2}{5} = \frac{15 + 2}{5} = \frac{17}{5} $$
Step 2: Multiply the Fractions and Simplify
$$ \frac{17}{5} \times 5 = 17 $$
Thus, the final answer is 17.
📂 Flashcards: Multiplying Fractions with Cross-Cancelling
🍪 Quiz: Multiplying Fractions by Whole Numbers and Mixed Numbers
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