Multiplying Fractions
Multiply numerators and denominators straight across.
Formula
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Example
2/3 × 3/4 = 1/2
How it works
Multiplying fractions means taking a fraction of a fraction. The numerator tells how many parts you keep, and the denominator tells how many equal parts the whole is split into, so when you multiply, the total number of parts in the result comes from combining both fractions’ parts. That is why you multiply the top numbers together and the bottom numbers together.
When to use it
Use this when finding part of a quantity, scaling measurements, or working with proportions. It shows up in cooking, construction, probability, and many word problems involving fractions.
Worked example, step by step
Multiply: 3/5 × 4/7 Step 1: Multiply the numerators: 3 × 4 = 12 Step 2: Multiply the denominators: 5 × 7 = 35 Step 3: Write the result: 12/35 Final answer: 12/35
Common mistakes to avoid
- adding the numerators and denominators instead of multiplying them
- forgetting to simplify the final fraction when possible
- multiplying correctly but placing the answer upside down
Did You Know?
Multiplying fractions is easier than adding them — no common denominator needed, just multiply straight across.
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