Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
1 2 3 4
1
2
3
There are 3 rows and 4 columns of boxes. Thus, we have 3 x 4 = 12 pizza boxes.
= =
Since there are two multiplies of , we have .
= =
Leaving us with, of the pizza.
Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
How does the math work?
Multiplication of Fractions
Step 1: Check! Can the fractions be reduced before multiplying? If possible, reduce by
dividing the numerator and denominator of each fraction by its Greatest Common
Factor (GCF) OR by the Cancellation Method.
Step 2: Multiply the numerator by the numerator and the denominator by the
denominator.
Step 1: Check! Since the GCF (4, 5) = 1 and the GCF (1, 3) = 1, each fraction is in its
simplest form.
Step 2: Multiply the numerator by the numerator and the denominator by the
denominator.
Step 1: Check! Since the GCF (13, 11) = 1 and the GCF (121, 13) = 1, each fraction is
in its simplest form.
Cancellation Method
The cancellation method is used before multiplying (or dividing) to avoid large numbers.
Before multiplying, we can ALSO divide the numbers diagonally by their GCF.
Step 2: Divide each diagonal by its GCF. GCF (13, 13) = 13. GCF (11, 121) = 11
11
Step 3: Now that we’ve reduced our fractions as much as possible, we can follow
through with multiplication.
Note: The Cancellation Method only works when multiplying and dividing fractions.
= =
Since we are dividing each third in half, we end up with, . Notice the solution for
Exercise 3 is also .
Exercise 9: Multiply the fractions, Step 1: Convert both mixed numbers into
. improper fractions.
( ) ( )
GCF(32, 2) = 2
.
Step 3: Perform multiplication.
Exercises:
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Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
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Solutions:
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