To multiply two fractions, multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators. 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12, which simplifies to 1/2.
Multiplying fractions is like finding a fraction of a fraction. 1/2 × 1/3 means half of a third, which is 1/6. An area model shows it well: shade 1/3 of a rectangle one way, then 1/2 of that the other way. The overlap is 1/6 of the whole.
Worked example
3/5 × 2/7 =
- Multiply the numerators: 3 × 2 = 6.
- Multiply the denominators: 5 × 7 = 35.
Answer:6/35
Key words
- product
- the answer to a multiplication
- area model
- a rectangle that shows fraction multiplication
- simplify
- write in lowest terms
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 5.NF.B.4