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Multiplying Fractions

Overview

The easy one.

What is it?

Just multiply straight across.

History

Unlike addition, you don't need matching bottoms.

Key Idea

Top x Top, Bottom x Bottom.

Practice This Topic

Concept Guide

Plain English: Multiplying fractions is usually cleaner than adding them. You just multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. Think of 'of' as multiply: 'Half OF half' is a quarter.

Real-world example: Scaling a recipe down. You need half of a 3/4 cup of sugar.

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Common Pitfall

Cross multiplying. That's for solving equations (x/2 = 3/4), NOT for multiplying fractions.

Word Problem
"You have 1/2 a tank of gas. You use 1/2 of that to get home. How much of the total tank did you use?"
Reasoning: 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4 of the tank.

Practice Examples

Straight Across
2 3 2x3 6 - x - = --- = -- 3 5 3x5 15
Don't forget to simplify (2/5)!