advertisement

red line
SuperKids Software Review - The Parent's and Teacher's Guide to Childrens' Software
free newsletter! spacer tell a friend! spacer contests
spacer
software
  reviews
  bestseller list
  price survey
  what's new
  product support
  search
spacer
educational tools
  ask a scientist
  math worksheets
  vocabulary builders
  hangman
  iPhone/iPad apps
  logic games
  brain food
spacer
educational insights

feature articles
spacer
marketplace
  iPhone/iPad apps
  reading corner
  movie corner
spacer
SuperKids home
  about SuperKids
  advertise!
  humor
  links
  help
spacer
  * * *

Promotions




  * * *

spacer math worksheets > > fractions > > multiplying fractions

SuperKids Math Review

How to Multiply Fractions

Remember . . .
numerator/denominator

Here's a memory trick: the Denominator is the bottom, or Down number in a fraction -- and both Denominator and Down start with the letter D.

Multiplying fractions is simple. Unlike adding and subtracting, where care must be taken to ensure that both fractions have a common denominator, the multiplication operation has no such requirement.

Method 1 - (for beginners) Just multiply the numerators (top numbers), and the denomominators (bottom numbers), and place the resulting answers in their respective top / bottom location in the answer fraction. Then reduce the fraction, if possible

Example 1: Simple fraction multiplication
1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4

No reduction is possible, so we have found the answer!


Example 2: Multiplication requiring answer fraction to be reduced
2/4 x 2/5 = 4/20

Then reduce:
4/20 = 1/5


Example 3: Multiplication with a mixed number
1-1/4 x 1/5 = ?

First convert the mixed number to an improper fraction:
1-1/4 = 5/4

Then multiply:
5/4 x 1/5 = 5/20

Then reduce the fraction:
5/20 = 1/4




Method 2 - (for anyone who understands the above concept). Before multiplying the numerators and denominators, look for ways to pre-reduce the fractions, both within each fraction, and across the fractions.

Example 1: Pre-reducing within a fraction
2/4 x 1/5 = ?

First reduce the 2/4 to 1/2, then multiply the numerators (top numbers), and the denominators (bottom numbers), and place the resulting answers in their respective top / bottom location in the answer fraction. Then reduce the fraction, if possible.
2/4 x 1/5 = 1/2 x 1/5 = 1/10


Example 2: Reducing across fractions
5/4 x 1/5 = ?

Here we divide the first numerator (5) by the second denominator (5), before multiplying the numerators (top numbers), and the denomominators (bottom numbers).
5/4 x 1/5 = 1/4 x 1/1 = 1/4

This method has the advantage of allowing the use of smaller numbers in the calculation process.



Got it? Great! Then go to the SuperKids Math Worksheet Creator for Basic Fractions, and give it a try!


[Questions?] Make this your browser's home page!



Go to: About SuperKids Educational Software Review
Questions or comments regarding this site? webmaster@superkids.com
Copyright © 1998-2024 Knowledge Share LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy