Multiplying Fractions

We will discuss here about multiplying fractions by a whole number, by a fractional number or by another mixed fractional number.

I. Multiplication of fractional number by a whole number:

For example:

(i) Multiply 2/3 by 7

Solution:

2/3 × 7

= (2 × 7)/3

= 14/3

= 4 2/3

We simply multiply the numerator of the fractional number by the whole number. The denominator remains the same.

(ii) Multiply 2 3/5 by 6

Solution:

2 3/5 × 6

= (2 × 5 + 3)/5 × 6

= (10 + 3)/5 × 6

= 13/5 × 6

= (13 × 6)/5

= 78/5

= 15 3/5

We change the mixed numbers into improper fractions and then simply multiply the numerator of the fractional number by the whole number. The denominator remains the same.

II. Multiplication of fractional number by another fractional number:

For example:

(i) Multiply 2/5 by 4/5

Solution:

2/5 × 4/5

= (2 × 4)/(5 × 5)

= 8/25

Step I: We multiply the numerators.

Step II: We multiply the denominators.

Step III: We write the fraction in the simplest form.

(ii) Multiply 8/9 by 7/10

Solution:

8/9 × 7/10

= (8 × 7)/(9 × 10)

= 56/90

We simply multiply the numerators of the fractional numbers and then multiply the denominators of the fractional numbers. Write the fraction in the simplest form.

III. Multiplication of a mixed number by another mixed number:

For example:

(i) Multiply 2 1/3 by 1 ¾

Solution:

2 1/3 × 1 ¾

= 7/3 × 7/4

= 49/12

= 4 1/12

We change the mixed numbers into improper fractions and then we multiply as usual.

(ii) Multiply 1 7/9 by 3 5/11

Solution:

1 7/9 × 3 5/11