Multiplying Simple Fractions (1)

Multiplying fractions is not the same as adding them.

We do NOT try to get them to have the same denominators.

 

Multiply the top numbers together.

Multiply the bottom numbers together.

1	×	2
9		3

 

1 × 2 = 2

9 × 3 = 27

 

The answer is:

2

27

 

 

Example

Work out the following, remembering to give your answer in its lowest terms.

3	×	4
5		8

 

Answer

3 × 4 = 12

5 × 8 = 40

 

This gives:

12

40

 

But this must be reduced by dividing top and bottom by 4.

The answer is:

3

10

 

which we write as   3/10.