Multiplying and Dividing Fraction

Multiplying fractions is very easy. First, you reduce your fractions. For example, 2/3*1/2. You can divide the twos by two because the greatest common factor of both numbers is two. This is because one is a numerator and one is a denominator. So the fractions become 1/3*1/1. Then, you multiply the numerators and the denominators. In this case you get (1*1)/(3*1) so the answer is one third or 1/3.
To divide you do the same thing as multiplying but you multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction. For example, 4/5 divided by 3/6 equals 4/5*6/3. You can reduce before and after you find the reciprocal of the second fraction. The answer is 24/15 which can be reduced to 8/5 and that equals 1 and 3/5. Remember, when dividing always find the reciprocal of the second number and never the first.

Posted by Duncan D.