Receiving Helpdesk

do you need a common denominator to multiply fractions

by Prof. Lenna Kirlin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Multiplying fractions is a lot simpler than adding or subtracting fractions because we don't need to find a common denominator, instead we just multiply across numerators and denominators.

Full Answer

What are the rules for multiplying fractions?

What are the 3 rules of multiplying fractions?

  • Multiply the top numbers (the numerators).
  • Multiply the bottom numbers (the denominators).
  • Simplify the fraction if needed.

How to multiply proper fractions?

  • Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction. If you are converting the number 6 2 / 5 to an improper fraction, you would first multiply the whole ...
  • Add this number to the numerator of the fraction. So adding 30 to the numerator 2, we get 30 + 2 = 32.
  • Place this new number over the original denominator of the fraction. ...

How do I multiply fractions?

To multiply proper fractions, follow these steps:

  1. Multiply the numerators of the fractions together Line up the fractions you're working with horizontally across the paper. ...
  2. Multiply the denominators of the fractions together Follow the same method to multiply all of the denominators of your fractions. The product becomes your new denominator. ...
  3. Simplify or reduce the product

How to mult fractions?

How to Add or Subtract Fractions

  • Find the least common denominator
  • You can use the LCD Calculator to find the least common denominator for a set of fractions
  • For your first fraction, find what number you need to multiply the denominator by to result in the least common denominator
  • Multiply the numerator and denominator of your first fraction by that number

More items...

Can you multiply fractions without common denominators?

Subtracting Fractions: If the denominators are not the same, you must find the common denominator by finding the least common multiple (LCM). Multiplying Fractions: You can multiply both the numerators and denominators, whether they are common or not.

Why do you need a common denominator to multiply fractions?

Multiplication of fractions do not require the same denominator, or the bottom number of the fraction, like addition and subtraction does. Instead, you would simply multiply the denominators and the top numerators. Write out the formula to easily see the equation and the necessary calculation.

What is the rule for multiplying fractions?

The first step when multiplying fractions is to multiply the two numerators. The second step is to multiply the two denominators. Finally, simplify the new fractions. The fractions can also be simplified before multiplying by factoring out common factors in the numerator and denominator.

Do you have to change the denominator when multiplying fractions?

When adding and subtracting fractions, the fractions must have like denominators, meaning the denominators are the same number, and the denominators stay the same when adding or subtracting the fractions. However, in multiplying fractions with like denominators, that is no longer the rule.

What if there is no common denominator?

If the denominators are not the same, then you have to use equivalent fractions which do have a common denominator . To do this, you need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the two denominators. To add fractions with unlike denominators, rename the fractions with a common denominator. Then add and simplify.

Can you multiply 2 different denominators?

For multiplying fractions with different denominators, as given in 1/4 × 5/8, we start by multiplying the numerators: 1 × 5 = 5. After this, we multiply the denominators: 4 × 8 = 32. This can be written as: (1 × 5)/(4 × 8) = 5/32. Now, this resultant fraction cannot be simplified further, so the answer is 5/32.

When multiplying fractions with different denominators do you need to find the lowest common denominator?

Correct answer: To find the least common denominator, list out the multiples of both denominators until you find the smallest multiple that is shared by both. Because 20 is the first shared multiple of 4 and 5, it must be the least common denominator for these two fractions.

How do I multiply fractions with different denominators?

Steps to Multiplying FractionsStep 1: Set up the problem. 1/2 of 1/3 = 1/2 x 1/3. ... Step 2: Multiply the top numbers, called the numerators. 1 x 1 = 1. ... Step 3: Multiply the denominators. 2 x 3 = 6. ... Step 4: Put your answer together. 1/6.

How do you multiply mixed fractions step by step?

0:1911:42How To Multiply Mixed Numbers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor the sake of practice go ahead and convert these three mixed numbers into improper fractions.MoreFor the sake of practice go ahead and convert these three mixed numbers into improper fractions. Four and three fifths. Seven and five six. And then eight and two thirds.

How do you multiply similar fractions?

1:102:34How to multiply fractions with the same denominator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll we have to do is multiply each numerator by each denominator. So 6 times 3 is 18. And 10 timesMoreAll we have to do is multiply each numerator by each denominator. So 6 times 3 is 18. And 10 times 10 is 100. Now in an exam if the question asked what is this time.

What Is A Denominator?

Image
The denominatoris the bottom number in a fraction. It shows how many equal parts the item is divided into.
See more on mathsisfun.com

Why Is It Important?

  • Before we can add or subtract fractions, the fractions need to have a commondenominator In other words the denominators must be the same.
See more on mathsisfun.com

Making The Denominators The Same

  • To make the denominators the same we can: Multiply top and bottom of each fraction by the denominator of the other. Like in this example (press play button): This always works, but we often need to simplify the fraction afterwards, as in this example (press play button): We simplified the fraction 2032 to 1016 , then to 58by dividing the top and bo...
See more on mathsisfun.com

What Did We do?

  • 1. We multiplied each fraction by the denominator of the other. Let's use letters instead of numbers to show it: 2. And because they now have the same denominator, we can add them:
See more on mathsisfun.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9