Multiplying Fractions in Real Life
Aligned to 5.NF.B.6 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
To multiply two fractions, multiply the top numbers together and the bottom numbers together. Then simplify if you can. This is how you find a fraction of a fraction, like part of a recipe.
Worked example
A recipe needs 2/3 of a 3/4 cup of sugar. Find 2/3 × 3/4. Multiply tops: 2 × 3 = 6. Multiply bottoms: 3 × 4 = 12. That gives 6/12, which simplifies to 1/2 cup of sugar.
Practice questions
- Multiply 1/2 × 4/5.
- A pan is 3/4 full and you eat 1/3 of what is there. What fraction of a full pan did you eat?
- Multiply 1 1/2 × 2/3 by first writing 1 1/2 as the fraction 3/2.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Multiplicar fracciones en la vida real
Para multiplicar dos fracciones, multiplica los números de arriba entre sí y los de abajo entre sí. Luego simplifica si puedes. Así hallas una fracción de una fracción, como parte de una receta.
Ejemplo: Una receta necesita 2/3 de una taza de 3/4 de azúcar. Halla 2/3 × 3/4. Multiplica los de arriba: 2 × 3 = 6. Multiplica los de abajo: 3 × 4 = 12. Eso da 6/12, que se simplifica a 1/2 taza de azúcar.
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