How to multiply fractions with whole numbers and mixed numbers

Question: How to multiply fractions with whole numbers and mixed numbers?

Whole numbers are all natural numbers including 0

A fraction represents a numerical value, which defines the parts of a whole

A fraction which is a combination of a whole number and a proper fraction is known as a mixed fraction.

Mixed numbers are multiplied with a fraction by converting the mixed number into an improper fraction and multiplying the given fraction to this improper fraction

The following steps are to multiply fractions with whole numbers and mixed numbers.

Explanation:

1. Multiplication of fractions with whole numbers:

• Write the whole number in the form of a fraction with denominator 1
• Multiply the numerators of both the fractions
• Multiply the denominators of both the fractions
• Combine them and Simplify the fraction to it's lowest form

Example: Product of 6 and 5/8

Step 1: Represent 6 as a fraction

6 = 6/1

Step 2: Multiply the numerators of the two fractions

6 × 5 = 30

Step 3: Multiply the denominators of the two fractions

1 × 8 = 8

Step 4: Combining them and writing the fraction in it's lowest form

30/8 = 15/4

2. Multiplication of fractions with mixed numbers:

A fraction in which the numerator is equal to or greater than the denominator is called an improper fraction

• Convert the given mixed fraction to an improper fraction
• Multiply the numerators of both the fractions
• Multiply the denominators of both the fractions
• Combine them and simplify the fraction to it's lowest form

Example: Find the product of 1 2⁄5 and 5/9

Step 1: Convert 3 2⁄5 to an improper fraction

1 2⁄5 = 7/5

Step 2: Multiply the numerators of the two fractions

7 × 5 = 35

Step 3: Multiply the denominators of the two fractions

5 × 9 = 45

Step 4: Combining them and writing the fraction in it's lowest form

35/45 = 7/9