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Multiplying Fractions in Simplest Form: Fractional Multiplication

September 24, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Mathematics

How do you multiply fractions in simplest form? Explore the process of multiplying fractions and simplifying the result to its simplest form for better understanding.


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Multiplying Fractions in Simplest Form: Fractional Multiplication

How do you multiply fractions in simplest form?

To multiply fractions and express the result in simplest form, follow these steps:

Step 1: Multiply the NumeratorsMultiply the numerators (the top numbers) of the fractions together. This will give you the numerator of the product.

Step 2: Multiply the DenominatorsMultiply the denominators (the bottom numbers) of the fractions together. This will give you the denominator of the product.

Step 3: Simplify the FractionSimplify the resulting fraction by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, and then dividing both the numerator and denominator by the GCD to reduce the fraction to its simplest form.

Here's an example to illustrate these steps:

Let's multiply 2/3 and 4/5:

Step 1: Multiply the Numerators2 * 4 = 8

Step 2: Multiply the Denominators3 * 5 = 15

So, the product of 2/3 and 4/5 is (2 * 4) / (3 * 5) = 8/15.

Step 3: Simplify the FractionTo simplify 8/15, find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 8 and 15, which is 1. Then, divide both the numerator and denominator by 1:

(8 ÷ 1) / (15 ÷ 1) = 8/15

Since there is no common divisor other than 1, the fraction 8/15 is already in its simplest form.

In some cases, the fraction may not be further simplified, and it remains in the form you obtain after multiplying the numerators and denominators. However, it's essential to perform the simplification step to ensure the fraction is in its simplest form.

Multiplying Fractions in Simplest Form: An Easy-to-Follow Method

To multiply fractions in simplest form, follow these steps:

  1. Multiply the numerators (top numbers) together.
  2. Multiply the denominators (bottom numbers) together.
  3. Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor (GCD).

For example, to multiply the fractions 3/4 and 5/6 in simplest form, we would do the following:

  1. Multiply the numerators together: 3 * 5 = 15
  2. Multiply the denominators together: 4 * 6 = 24
  3. Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their GCD, which is 3: 15 / 3 = 5 and 24 / 3 = 8

Therefore, the product of 3/4 and 5/6 in simplest form is 5/8.

Here is another example:

To multiply the fractions 2/3 and 3/4 in simplest form, we would do the following:

  1. Multiply the numerators together: 2 * 3 = 6
  2. Multiply the denominators together: 3 * 4 = 12
  3. Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their GCD, which is 3: 6 / 3 = 2 and 12 / 3 = 4

Therefore, the product of 2/3 and 3/4 in simplest form is 2/4, which is the same as 1/2.

Streamlining Your Math: Multiplying Fractions for Simplicity

There are a few things you can do to streamline the process of multiplying fractions in simplest form:

  • Look for common factors in the numerators and denominators before multiplying. This can save you time and effort. For example, in the problem 3/4 * 5/6, we can see that 3 and 6 have a common factor of 3. We can divide the 3 in the numerator and the 6 in the denominator by 3, which gives us the problem 1/4 * 5/2. This makes the problem easier to solve.
  • Use a fraction calculator. There are many free online fraction calculators available. If you are struggling to multiply fractions in simplest form, you can use a calculator to help you.

Fractions Simplified: Multiplying with a Focus on Simplest Form

Here are a few tips for multiplying fractions with a focus on simplest form:

  • Always simplify fractions after multiplying them. This will ensure that you are getting the answer in its simplest form.
  • Be aware of the different ways to simplify fractions. There are many different ways to simplify fractions, so you can choose the method that works best for you.
  • Practice multiplying fractions in simplest form. The more you practice, the better you will become at it.

Here is an example of how to simplify a fraction after multiplying it:

To multiply the fractions 3/4 and 5/6, we would first multiply the numerators and denominators together, as shown above. This gives us the fraction 15/24. We can then simplify this fraction by dividing the numerator and denominator by their GCD, which is 3. This gives us the fraction 5/8, which is the simplest form of the answer.

By following these tips, you can learn to multiply fractions in simplest form quickly and easily.

Tags Multiplying Fractions in Simplest Form , Fractional Multiplication , Simplification

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