Multiplying mixed numbers!

Multiplying mixed numbers is what you will learn here with some easy to follow examples.

A mixed number is any number that has the following format:



The reason it is called mixed is because it is a mixture of a whole number and a fraction

In our example, the whole number is 9



It is extremely important to convert a mixed number into an improper fraction before doing the multiplication

We show you next how to convert a mixed number into an improper fraction using the mixed number above

Step 1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction. (9 × 4 = 36)


Step 2. Add the result of step 1 to the numerator of the fraction (36 + 3 = 37)


Step 3. Your numerator is the answer of step 2. Your denominator stays the same




Now, you are ready to multiply mixed numbers with a couple of good examples



Convert each mixed number by following the steps outlined above





Step 1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction. (2 × 6 = 12)


Step 2. Add the result of step 1 to the numerator of the fraction (12 + 1 = 13)


Step 3. Your numerator is the answer of step 2. Your denominator stays the same







Step 1. Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction. (4 × 2 = 8)


Step 2. Add the result of step 1 to the numerator of the fraction (8 + 3 = 11)


Step 3. Your numerator is the answer of step 2. Your denominator stays the same




Now just multiply the fractions. Do this by multipling the numerators together and the denominators together



Sometimes, multiplying mixed numbers is a piece of cake with some good observations. If you had noticed that 40 divided by 5 is 8 and 15 divided by 3 is 5.

You can just multiply 8 and 5 to get 40

Looking at the example #2 again.

Noticed that 5 divided by 5 is 1 and 3 divided by 3 is 1.

Remember that between a whole number and a fraction, there is always a + sign

The problem just becomes 7 + 1 × 4 + 1 = 8 × 5 = 40