Multiplying Fractions By Whole Numbers – Welcome to this free tutorial where you’ll learn how to multiply fractions by whole numbers and multiply whole numbers by fractions in a simple two-step process.
This complete guide to multiplying fractions by whole numbers includes several examples, an animated video lesson, and a free worksheet and answer key.
Multiplying Fractions By Whole Numbers
Before we look at how to multiply fractions, let’s look at how to multiply fractions by fractions (understanding how to apply the rule below makes multiplying fractions and whole numbers much easier!).
Multiplying Fractions (w/ 15 Step By Step Examples!)
Rule of Multiplying Fractions: When multiplying fractions together, multiply the numerators together, then multiply the divisors as…
Note that the fraction (3/8) cannot be prime (because 8 and 3 have no common divisor).
Once you know the rules for multiplying a fraction by a fraction, they can help you multiply a fraction by a whole number more easily.
Now that you’re multiplying a fraction by a fraction, applying the rule and finding it as…
Multiplying Fractions Textbook Exercise
Wait! What if the answer was simple? Let us illustrate the situation with the following example…
Since the greatest common factor (GCF) of 45 and 10 is 5, you can simplify both the numerator and the numerator by dividing by 5, like this…
Watch the video lesson below to learn more about multiplying fractions and get more free practice problems:
Need some more practice multiplying fractions by whole numbers? Click on the links below to download free worksheets and answer key:
Multiply & Divide Fractions & Whole Numbers Poster
Tags: multiplying fractions with whole numbers, multiplying fractions and whole numbers, multiplying fractions with whole numbers practice, multiplying fractions with whole numbers examples, simplifying fractions Maybe you were in fifth grade last time learning about multiplying fractions. But if you’re trying to cut a recipe in half, or trying to use fractions to calculate the price of a new sweater on sale, you might find it hard to figure out how to do it. Let’s refresh:
In each section there is an upper number and a lower number separated by a short horizontal line. In a proper fraction, the smallest number – called the numerator – is always at the top, and the largest number – the denominator – at the bottom. The number tells us how many units we have in total and the shovel tells us how many units it holds. So the fraction 1/2, 1 is the numerator and 2 is the denominator – there are two parts in total, but this fraction tells us that we only have one of those parts.
When adding or subtracting fractions, you can multiply different fractions by different parts. For example, multiplying 3/4 x 2/5 is fine.
The third step is to simplify or reduce the fraction because there is a better way to read the fraction.
Notes On Multiplying Fractions With Whole Numbers
To do this, we find the largest number into which we divide both the numerator and denominator to reduce the fraction. In this case, the highest number that is equally divisible by both is 2, so the reduced answer to this multiplication problem is 3/10.
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This article was written by Mario Banuelos, PhD, and staff member Jessica Gibson. Mario Banuelos is an assistant professor of mathematics at California State University, Fresno. With over eight years of teaching experience, Mario focuses on computational biology, optimization, statistical models for genome evolution, and data science. Mario earned a BA in Mathematics at California State University, Fresno and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of California, Merced. Mario has taught at the high school and university level.
Multiplying fractions by mixed fractions or whole numbers is easy. Begin by converting your mixed fractions or whole numbers to improper fractions. Then multiply the numbers of the two improper fractions. Multiplying accounts and simplifying the results.
Free Multiplying Fractions With Whole Numbers Worksheets
This article was written by Mario Banuelos, PhD, and staff member Jessica Gibson. Mario Banuelos is an assistant professor of mathematics at California State University, Fresno. With over eight years of teaching experience, Mario focuses on computational biology, optimization, statistical models for genome evolution, and data science. Mario earned a BA in Mathematics at California State University, Fresno and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of California, Merced. Mario has taught at the high school and university level. This article has been viewed 2,131,809 times.
To multiply a fraction by a whole number, first write the whole number as a fraction by correcting for 1. For example, let’s say you’re trying to solve 5 x 8/10. You start by writing 5 as a fraction. Now the equation looks like 5/1 x 8/10. Then you need to multiply the numbers of the fractions or the numbers above together. In our example, 5 and 8 are integers, so multiplying 5 by 8 gives 40. Now do the same with the units or numbers below the fractions. One and 10 are denominators, so multiplying 1 by 10 gives you 10. The new fraction is 40/10. If you can’t simplify the new fraction, you’re done and that’s your answer. If you can, simplify the fraction to its lowest terms. In our example we ended up with 40/10, which can be simplified by dividing the numerator and denominator by 10, giving you 4/1. So, 5 x 8/10 = 4/1, or 4. Scroll down to learn how to multiply a common fraction by a whole number! Create an unlimited supply of worksheets for multiplying fractions and mixed numbers (grades 4-7)! Worksheets can be in HTML or PDF format, both for easy printing. The HTML format can also be edited. You can customize it using the generator below.
Children begin multiplying fractions by learning how to multiply fractions by whole numbers (eg, 5 × 2/3), usually in 4th grade. Then in 5th grade you will learn to multiply fractions using fractions and mixed numbers. In grades 6 and 7, students work on multiplying fractions using larger numbers and complex problems.
Each worksheet is randomly generated and therefore unique. The answer key will be automatically generated and placed on the second page of the file.
Multiplying Fractions With Missing Factors
You can create worksheets in html or pdf format; Both are easily printed. Click the “Create PDF” or “Create PDF Worksheet” button to get the PDF worksheet. To access the worksheet in HTML format, click the “View in browser” or “Create HTML worksheet” button. This has the advantage of being able to edit files directly from the browser (select File → Save) and then edit them in Word or another word processing program.
Sometimes the resulting worksheet isn’t exactly what you need. try again! To get a different sheet using the same options:
6th and 7th graders should use the 5th grade worksheets to review multiplication of fractions. You can also use these worksheets with simple one-step fractional equations.