Lesson 1: Multiplying Fractions

Property

To multiply two fractions, multiply the numerators together and multiply the denominators together: $\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \times c}{b \times d}$ where $b, d \neq 0$.

Examples

Property

When multiplying fractions, simplify the product by finding and canceling common factors between any numerator and any denominator before or after multiplying: $\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \times c}{b \times d}$, then divide both numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor (GCF).

Examples

Property

Use rectangular area models to visualize and calculate fraction multiplication.
Divide a rectangle into equal parts to represent each fraction, then find the overlapping region to determine the product.
This visual approach shows that multiplying fractions means finding a fractional part of a fractional part.

Examples