MULTIPLICATION: Example 1

Rule 13: To multiply three or more simple fractions, complete the following three steps.

1.

Multiply the numerators.

2.

Multiply the denominators.

3.

Reduce the results. (See Rule 10)
a.
Factor the product of the numerators.
b.
Factor the product of the denominators.
c.
Look for the fractions that have a value of 1.

Example 1: Multiply tex2html_wrap_inline48 and reduce the answer.

Answer. The answer is .

Solution. Multiply the numerators and the denominators, but leave them in factored form tex2html_wrap_inline52 . As you can see, the numerator has only 1 factor. Therefore the answer is tex2html_wrap_inline54 .

Note: Another way to work the problem is to multiply the product of the first two fractions by the third fraction.

Check: You can prove the answer with your calculator. Calculate 1 divided by 2, 1 divided by 3, 1 divided by 4, and and multiply the answers. Now calculate 1 divided by 24. If you are correct, the answers are the same (equivalent) and you have successfully completed the problem.

If you would like to review another example, click on the word Example.

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Author: Nancy Marcus