Multiplying Fractions

To multiply two fractions, reduce first, then multiply the numerators (tops) and multiply the
denominators (bottoms).

Examples:
4 2
∙ Nothing reduces
7 5
4∙2 8
= Multiply across
7∙5 35

5 9
∙ 5 and 10 can reduce by 5; 6 and 9 can reduce by 3
6 10
1 3 1∙3 3
∙ = = 5 becomes 1; 10 becomes 2; 6 becomes 2; 9 becomes 3
2 2 2∙2 4

35 32
∙ 35 and 25 can reduce by 5; 12 and 32 can reduce by 4
12 25
7 8 7∙8 56
∙ = = 35 becomes 7; 25 becomes 5; 12 becomes 3; 32 becomes 8
3 5 3∙5 15

All whole numbers have a denominator of 1.

3
30 ∙ 30 and 10 can reduce by 10
10
30 3 3 3 3∙3 9
∙ = ∙ = = =9 30 becomes 3; 10 becomes 1
1 10 1 1 1∙1 1

Dividing Fractions

To Divide Fractions:
Remember: “KFC” − (Keep, Flip, Change)
1. Keep the first fraction
2. Flip the second fraction
3. Change to multiplication

Examples:
3 5
÷ Flip the second fraction and multiply
8 8

3 8 3 1 3∙1 3
∙ = ∙ = = 8 and 8 can reduce by 8; both 8s become 1
8 5 1 5 1∙5 5
 1
7÷ Flip second fraction and multiply; put 1 under the 7
4
7 4 7∙4 28
∙ = = = 28 Nothing reduces, multiply across
1 1 1∙1 1

Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers

To Multiply Mixed Numbers: 1) Change mixed numbers to improper fractions.

2) Multiply the fractions.
Examples:
1 1
3 ∙6 Convert to improper fractions
2 4
7 25 7∙25 175
∙ = = Nothing reduces, multiply across
2 4 2∙4 8

1 2
5 ∙3 Convert to improper fractions
4 5
21 17 21∙17 357
∙ = = Nothing reduces, multiply across
4 5 4∙5 20

To Divide Mixed Numbers: 1) Change mixed numbers to improper fractions.

2) Divide fractions as before (KFC).
3) Simplify (Reduce to lowest terms).

Examples:
1 1
3 ÷6 Convert to improper fractions, flip and multiply
8 4
25 4
∙ 25 and 25 can reduce by 25; 8 and 4 can reduce by 4
8 25
1 1 1∙1 1
∙ = = Both 25s become 1; 4 becomes 1; 8 becomes 2
2 1 2∙1 2

3
4 ÷5 Convert to improper fractions, flip and multiply
8
35 1
∙ 35 and 5 can reduce by 5
8 5
7 1 7∙1 7
∙ = = 35 becomes 7; 5 becomes 1
8 1 8∙1 8