To multiply a whole number and a proper fraction, you can follow these steps:
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Convert the Whole Number to a Fraction: Write the whole number as a fraction by placing it over 1. For example, if the whole number is 3, you can write it as \( \frac{3}{1} \).
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Multiply the Fractions: When you multiply two fractions, you multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. So if you have \( \frac{3}{1} \) and a proper fraction like \( \frac{2}{5} \), you would multiply them as follows: \[ \frac{3}{1} \times \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3 \times 2}{1 \times 5} = \frac{6}{5} \]
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Simplify if Necessary: In this case, \( \frac{6}{5} \) is an improper fraction but can be left as is unless you need a mixed number format (which would be \( 1 \frac{1}{5} \)).
Thus, when multiplying a whole number by a proper fraction, just treat the whole number as a fraction and follow the steps to find the result!