Fractions. Multiplying Fractions

Fractions. Simplifying Fractions

Multiplying Fractions

To multiply fractions, simply multiply straight across.

 \displaystyle \frac{a}{b}\times \frac{c}{d}=\frac{ac}{bd}.

E X A M P L E :
Simplify   \displaystyle \; \frac{2}{5}\times \frac{3}{6}\times \frac{4}{7}.\;
 \displaystyle  \;\;\; \; \;\; \; \; =\frac{2\times 3\times 4}{5\times 6\times 7}.\;
\displaystyle  \;\;\; \; \;\; \; \; =\frac{24}{210}.\; Divide by a common factor to simplify.
\displaystyle  \;\;\; \; \;\; \; \; =\frac{4}{35}.\; (Answer)
You can also simplify the fractions before multiplying to save time.
E X A M P L E :
\displaystyle \frac{2}{5}\times \frac{3}{6}\times \frac{4}{7}=\frac{1}{5}\times \frac{1}{1}\times \frac{4}{7}. Remove the common factors of 2 and 3.
\displaystyle \; \, \; \; \, \; \, \;\; \; \;\; \; \; =\frac{1\times 1\times 4}{5\times 1\times 7}.
\displaystyle \; \, \; \; \, \; \, \;\; \; \;\; \; \; =\frac{4}{35}.
To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal.
\displaystyle \; \frac{a}{b}\div \frac{c}{d}=\frac{a}{b}\cdot \frac{d}{c}.
This is known as the Division Rule for Fractions. Of course, b, c, and d cannot equal zero because you cannot divide by zero.
E X A M P L E :
Simplify \displaystyle 18\div \frac{6}{11}.
\displaystyle =18\times \frac{11}{6}.
\displaystyle =3\times \frac{11}{1}. \; Divide through by a common factor of 6.
\displaystyle =\frac{3\times 11}{1}=33.\; (Answer)

Добавить комментарий

Ваш адрес email не будет опубликован. Обязательные поля помечены *

18 − 4 =