Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Summary
This lesson tells students how to correctly multiply and divide fractions.

Objectives
• To be able to explain what a reciprocal is.

• To be able to correctly multiply and divide fractions.

Suggested Grades
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade

Excerpt
When multiplying fractions, there are also a few simple steps to follow:

1. Simplify the fractions if they are not already in their lowest terms.
2. Multiply the numerators of the fractions to get the new numerator.
3. Multiply the denominators of the fractions to get the new denominator.
4. Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.

Example:

6/12 x 2/5 = ______

In this example, you would begin by simplifying 6/12. 6 goes into 6 and six goes into 12. Therefore, 6/12 can be reduced to 1/2.

Continued...