To multiply a whole number and a fraction, you can follow these steps:
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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 \( \frac{3}{1} \).
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Multiply the Numerators: Multiply the numerator of the fraction by the numerator of the whole number (which you wrote as a fraction).
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Multiply the Denominators: Multiply the denominator of the fraction by the denominator of the whole number (which is 1).
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Simplify the Result: If possible, simplify the resulting fraction.
Example:
Let's multiply the whole number 3 by the fraction \( \frac{2}{5} \).
- Write 3 as a fraction: \( \frac{3}{1} \)
- Multiply the numerators: \( 3 \times 2 = 6 \)
- Multiply the denominators: \( 1 \times 5 = 5 \)
- 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 \( 1 \frac{1}{5} \).