Algebra Tutorials!
   
 
 
Tuesday 19th of March
 
   
Home
Calculations with Negative Numbers
Solving Linear Equations
Systems of Linear Equations
Solving Linear Equations Graphically
Algebra Expressions
Evaluating Expressions and Solving Equations
Fraction rules
Factoring Quadratic Trinomials
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
Adding and Subtracting Radicals
Subtracting Fractions
Factoring Polynomials by Grouping
Slopes of Perpendicular Lines
Linear Equations
Roots - Radicals 1
Graph of a Line
Sum of the Roots of a Quadratic
Writing Linear Equations Using Slope and Point
Factoring Trinomials with Leading Coefficient 1
Writing Linear Equations Using Slope and Point
Simplifying Expressions with Negative Exponents
Solving Equations 3
Solving Quadratic Equations
Parent and Family Graphs
Collecting Like Terms
nth Roots
Power of a Quotient Property of Exponents
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Percents
Solving Linear Systems of Equations by Elimination
The Quadratic Formula
Fractions and Mixed Numbers
Solving Rational Equations
Multiplying Special Binomials
Rounding Numbers
Factoring by Grouping
Polar Form of a Complex Number
Solving Quadratic Equations
Simplifying Complex Fractions
Algebra
Common Logs
Operations on Signed Numbers
Multiplying Fractions in General
Dividing Polynomials
Polynomials
Higher Degrees and Variable Exponents
Solving Quadratic Inequalities with a Sign Graph
Writing a Rational Expression in Lowest Terms
Solving Quadratic Inequalities with a Sign Graph
Solving Linear Equations
The Square of a Binomial
Properties of Negative Exponents
Inverse Functions
fractions
Rotating an Ellipse
Multiplying Numbers
Linear Equations
Solving Equations with One Log Term
Combining Operations
The Ellipse
Straight Lines
Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables
Solving Trigonometric Equations
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Simple Trinomials as Products of Binomials
Ratios and Proportions
Solving Equations
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions 2
Rational Numbers
Difference of Two Squares
Factoring Polynomials by Grouping
Solving Equations That Contain Rational Expressions
Solving Quadratic Equations
Dividing and Subtracting Rational Expressions
Square Roots and Real Numbers
Order of Operations
Solving Nonlinear Equations by Substitution
The Distance and Midpoint Formulas
Linear Equations
Graphing Using x- and y- Intercepts
Properties of Exponents
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving One-Step Equations Using Algebra
Relatively Prime Numbers
Solving a Quadratic Inequality with Two Solutions
Quadratics
Operations on Radicals
Factoring a Difference of Two Squares
Straight Lines
Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring
Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Simplifying Expressions Involving Variables
Adding Integers
Decimals
Factoring Completely General Quadratic Trinomials
Using Patterns to Multiply Two Binomials
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions With Unlike Denominators
Rational Exponents
Horizontal and Vertical Lines
   
Try the Free Math Solver or Scroll down to Tutorials!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Please use this form if you would like
to have this math solver on your website,
free of charge.


Multiplying Fractions in General

Objective Learn how to multiply fractions.

Multiplying fractions is a little more difficult conceptually than adding fractions, but the arithmetic procedure is much easier. The discussion here will begin with the multiplication of a fraction by a whole number, proceed to the multiplication of two fractions each with numerator of 1, and then finish with the multiplication of any pair of fractions.

What if we want to multiply two fractions that do not have 1 as their numerators? The following procedure can be used to multiply any two fractions.

 

Key Idea

To multiply two fractions, multiply the numerators together to find the numerator of the product, and multiply the denominators together to find the denominator of the product. Simplify the resulting fraction, if possible.

 

Example 1

 

Why Does This Procedure Work?

We can draw a model. For example, to model the multiplication of and , we start with two line segments of the same length. Divide one segment into 3 equal parts and darken 2 of the parts. Divide the other segment into 5 equal parts and darken 2 of these parts.

The two segments are then used as adjacent sides of a square and the marks are used to divide the square into 15 regions of equal size. The region formed by the two darkened parts of the segments is then shaded.

The shaded portion of the entire square includes 4 of the 15 small regions of equal size. Since each small region represents the fraction , the shaded portion represents the fraction , which is the product of and .

Copyrights © 2005-2024