understand fraction multiplication

multiply a whole number and a ____________

1 answer

To multiply a whole number and a fraction, you can follow these steps:

  1. Write the Whole Number as a Fraction: Any whole number can be written as a fraction by putting it over 1. For example, the whole number 3 can be written as \( \frac{3}{1} \).

  2. Multiply the Numerators: Multiply the numerator of the fraction by the numerator of the whole number (which you wrote as a fraction).

  3. Multiply the Denominators: Multiply the denominator of the fraction by the denominator of the whole number (which is 1).

  4. Simplify the Result: If possible, simplify the resulting fraction.

Example:

Let's multiply the whole number 3 by the fraction \( \frac{2}{5} \).

  1. Write 3 as a fraction: \( \frac{3}{1} \)
  2. Multiply the numerators: \( 3 \times 2 = 6 \)
  3. Multiply the denominators: \( 1 \times 5 = 5 \)
  4. The result is \( \frac{6}{5} \), which can be simplified or converted to a mixed number: \( 1 \frac{1}{5} \).

So, \( 3 \times \frac{2}{5} = \frac{6}{5} \) or \( 1 \frac{1}{5} \).