How to Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers: Step-by-Step Examples

Converting Whole Numbers to Fractions

• 🎯 To multiply a fraction by a whole number, first convert the whole number into a fraction by placing it over one.
• 💡 For example, 32 can be written as 32/1.

Simplifying Before Multiplication

• 🔑 Before multiplying across, simplify the numbers to make calculations easier.
• 🧩 If multiplying 5/8 by 32, rewrite 32 as 8 * 4. This allows the 8s to cancel out, simplifying the problem.

Performing the Multiplication

• ⚡ After simplification, multiply the remaining numerators together and the denominators together.
• ✅ For 5/8 * 32, after canceling the 8s, you are left with 5 * 4 in the numerator and 1 in the denominator, resulting in 20/1, which equals 20.

Handling Mixed Numbers

• 📈 When multiplying 4/5 by 3, the result is 12/5. To convert this improper fraction to a mixed number, find the highest multiple of the denominator (5) that is less than the numerator (12), which is 10.
• ➕ Break down 12/5 into 10/5 + 2/5. Since 10/5 equals 2, the mixed number is 2 and 2/5.

Converting Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers

• 🔍 For 5/9 * 8, the improper fraction is 40/9. To convert to a mixed number, determine how many times 9 goes into 40, which is 4 times (36).
• 🧮 The remainder is 4 (40 - 36). Therefore, the mixed number is 4 and 4/9.