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title: Multiplying Fractions
---
## Multiplying Fractions

A fraction is generally used to represent a number which is a ratio of two numbers.

Consider the fraction <span class="fraction"><sup>4</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span>, here 4 is called the numerator and 5 is called the denominator. 

Here are the steps to multiply two fractions

1. Multiply the numerator and denominator of the fractions
2. If possible, simplify the resultant fraction

#### Example 1

<pre>  <span class="fraction"><sup>4</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> &times; <span class="fraction"><sup>3</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>(4 &times; 3)</sup>⁄<sub>(5 &times; 5)</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>12</sup>⁄<sub>25</sub></span> </pre>

#### Example 2

<pre>  <span class="fraction"><sup>4</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> &times; <span class="fraction"><sup>3</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>(4 &times; 3)</sup>⁄<sub>(5 &times; 2)</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>12</sup>⁄<sub>10</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>6</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> (Simplified) </pre>

#### Example 3

Multiplying fractions with whole number.

Please note that a whole number can also be considered as a fraction by considering it's denominator as 1.

<pre>  <span class="fraction"><sup>4</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> &times; 2 = <span class="fraction"><sup>(4 &times; 2)</sup>⁄<sub>(5 &times; 1)</sub></span> = <span class="fraction"><sup>8</sup>⁄<sub>5</sub></span> </pre>
