Arithmetic/Multiplying Fractions

Multiplying fractions

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To multiply two fractions:

  • multiply the numerators to get the new numerator, and
  • multiply the denominators to get the new denominator.

For instance,

 .

Dividing fractions

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To divide one fraction by another one, flip numerator and denominator of the second one, and then multiply the two fractions. The flipped-over fraction is called the multiplicative inverse or reciprocal.

For instance,

 .

To simplify a compound fraction, like  , just remember that a fraction is the same as division, and divide (3/5) ÷ (1/4), which comes to 12/5.