Lesson · M.2.3
Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Multiply fractions straight across and divide by flipping the second fraction, with clinical dosage and supply examples worked step by step.
ObjectiveM.2.3Read3 minExam weightFractions ≈ 20% of Mathematics
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- Multiply two fractions, or a fraction and a whole number, and reduce the product.
- Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before multiplying or dividing.
- Divide fractions by inverting the second fraction and multiplying.
What the lesson concludes
- Multiplying fractions never needs a common denominator: multiply the numerators, multiply the denominators, then reduce.
- A whole number multiplies as itself over 1.
- Dividing by a fraction means multiplying by its reciprocal, the fraction flipped upside down.
- Convert every mixed number to an improper fraction before you multiply or divide, then convert the answer back at the end.
- Two numbers are reciprocals when their product is 1, which is exactly why flipping and multiplying works for division.