Multiplying Mixed Numbers
Example 1: Nina’s garden is 4 and 2/3 feet long and 1 and 1/8 feet wide. What is the area of the garden?
Analysis: We will multiply these mixed numbers in order to solve this problem.
Solution: First we will convert each mixed number to an improper fraction. Then we can multiply.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Answer: The area of Nina’s garden is 5 and 1/4 sq ft.
Example 2: Multiply.
Analysis: First convert each mixed number to an improper fraction. Then multiply.
Step 1:
Step 2:
The following is the procedure for multiplying mixed numbers..
Procedure: To multiply mixed numbers, first convert each mixed number to an improper fraction, then multiply. Simplify your result, if necessary.
Let’s look at some examples using this procedure.
Example 3: Multiply.
Step 1:
Step 2:
There are no common factors to divide out.
Example 4: Multiply
Analysis: First, convert the whole number and the mixed number to an improper fraction. Then multiply.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Now that we know how to multiply fractions, we do not need to show each and every part of the process below in our examples.
Example 5: Multiply
Step 1:
Step 2:
Example 6: Multiply.
Solution:
There are no common factors to divide out.
Example 7: Multiply
Solution:
Summary: To multiply mixed numbers, first convert each mixed number to an improper fraction, then multiply. Simplify your result, if necessary.
Exercises
Directions: In each exercise below, multiply the fractions by dividing out common factors. Be sure to simplify your result, if necessary. Click once in an ANSWER BOX and type in your answer; then click ENTER. After you click ENTER, a message will appear in the RESULTS BOX to indicate whether your answer is correct or incorrect. To start over, click CLEAR.
Note: To write the mixed number four and two-thirds, enter 4, a space, and then 2/3 into the form.
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