3.

4 Multiplication and Division of Rational Numbers

We now turn our attention to multiplication and division with both fractions and decimals.
Consider the multiplication problem:

5 12
•
8 25

One approach is to multiply numerators and multiply denominators, resulting in the fraction
60
, which can then be reduced by either GCF or by using primes. However, a faster approach
200
is to consider the reducing (using primes or GCF) as part of the multiplication process. Here are
the steps using the GCF method:

5 12 5 4•3
• = • factoring the GCF
8 25 4 • 2 5 • 5
5/ • 4/ • 3
= combining factors in one fraction
4/ • 2 • 5 • 5/
3
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•5
3
= multiply remaining factors
10

Using the prime factors method makes it a bit easier to organize the factoring:

5 12 5 2•2•3
• = • factoring into primes
8 25 2 • 2 • 2 5•5
/2 • 2/ • 3 • 5/
= combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 2/ • 2 • 5 • 5/
3
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•5
3
= multiply remaining factors
10

180
We will use this second method (using prime numbers) throughout this section, since it is easier
to organize problems with prime numbers. Both methods are equivalent, and produce identical
answers. Note that your final answer should not need to be simplified, since simplifying the
fractions is actually part of the process involved with the multiplication.

Example 1 Multiply the given rational numbers.

7 9
a. •
12 14
9 25
b. ! •
20 27
5 8 " 12 %
c. ! • •$! '
6 9 # 25 &
5 16x
d. •
8x 15y

Solution a. Following the steps outlined in the prime method above:

7 9 7 3• 3
• = • factoring into primes
12 14 2 • 2 • 3 2 • 7
3 • 3/ • 7/
= combining factors in one fraction
2 • 2 • 2 • 3/ • 7/
3
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•2•2
3
= multiply remaining factors
8

b. Note that the answer will be negative, since one negative is involved in the
multiplication. Following the same steps:
9 25 3• 3 5•5
! • =! • factoring into primes
20 27 2 • 2 • 5 3• 3• 3
3/ • 3/ • 5 • 5/
=! combining factors in one fraction
2 • 2 • 3 • 3/ • 3/ • 5/
5
=! write remaining factors after cancelling
2•2•3
5
=! multiply remaining factors
12

181
 c. Note that the answer will be positive, since two negatives are involved in
the multiplication. Following the same steps:
5 8 " 12 %
! • •$! '
6 9 # 25 &
5 8 12
= • • writing the product as a positive
6 9 25
5 2•2•2 2•2•3
= • • factoring into primes
2•3 3• 3 5•5
2/ • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 3/ • 5/
= combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 3 • 3 • 3/ • 5 • 5/
2•2•2•2
= write remaining factors after cancelling
3• 3• 5
16
= multiply remaining factors
45

d. Don’t get confused with the variables. Following the same steps:
5 16x
•
8x 15y
5 2•2•2•2•x
= • factoring into primes
2•2•2•x 3• 5 • y
2/ • 2/ • 2/ • 2 • 5/ • x/
= combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 2/ • 2/ • 3 • 5/ • x/ • y
2
= write remaining factors after cancelling
3• y
2
= multiply remaining factors
3y

To understand division of fractions, we need to go back to whole numbers. We know that

1 6 1 1 12
6 ÷ 2 = 3 , and also that 6 • = = 3 , so 6 ÷ 2 = 6 • . Also 12 ÷ 3 = 4 and 12 • = = 4 , so
2 2 2 3 3
1
12 ÷ 3 = 12 • . Thus dividing numbers is equivalent to multiplying by another fraction, called
3
the reciprocal of the second number. In general:

1
x÷y= x•
y

182
 1
Here is called the reciprocal of y. Applying this same principle to fractions, we have a rule for
y
division:

a c a d ad
÷ = • =
b d b c bc

d c 3 5
Here is called the reciprocal of . In order to divide ! by , we therefore convert to the
c d 4 8
3 8
multiplication ! • . Completing the steps:
4 5

3 5 3 8
! ÷ =! • converting to division
4 8 4 5
3 2•2•2
=! • factoring into primes
2•2 5
2/ • 2/ • 2 • 3
=! combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 2/ • 5
2•3
=! write remaining factors after cancelling
5
6
=! multiply remaining factors
5

After the first step of division, the problem is identical to multiplication.

Example 2 Divide the given rational numbers.

9 " 3%
a. ÷ $! '
16 # 4 &
25 " 5 %
b. ! ÷ $! '
36 # 9 &
5
c. ! ÷ ( !10 )
6
8xy 16xy 2
d. ÷
9a 2b 27ab 3

183
Solution a. Rewrite the division as a multiplication, then use prime factors to simplify
the product. The steps are:
9 " 3% 9 " 4 %
÷ $! ' = •$! ' converting to division
16 # 4 & 16 # 3 &
3• 3 2•2
=! • factoring into primes
2•2•2•2 3
2/ • 2/ • 3 • 3/
=! combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 2/ • 2 • 2 • 3/
3
=! write remaining factors after cancelling
2•2
3
=! multiply remaining factors
4

b. Rewrite the division as a multiplication, then use prime factors to simplify

the product. The steps are:
25 " 5 % 25 " 9 %
! ÷ $! ' = ! •$! ' converting to division
36 # 9 & 36 # 5 &
5•5 3• 3
= • factoring into primes
2 • 2 • 3• 3 5
3/ • 3/ • 5/ • 5
= combining factors in one fraction
2 • 2 • 3/ • 3/ • 5/
5
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•2
5
= multiply remaining factors
4

184
 10
c. Note that the divisor is a fraction, namely ! . Rewrite the division as a
1
multiplication, then use prime factors to simplify the product. The steps are:
5 " 10 % 5 " 1%
! ÷ $! ' = ! •$! ' converting to division
6 # 1& 6 # 10 &
5 1
= • factoring into primes
2•3 2•5
1 • 5/
= combining factors in one fraction
2 • 2 • 3 • 5/
1
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•2•3
1
= multiply remaining factors
12

d. Just treat variables as prime numbers. Rewrite the division as a

multiplication, then use prime factors to simplify the product. The steps are:
8xy 16xy 2
÷
9a 2b 27ab 3
8xy 27ab 3
= 2 • converting to division
9a b 16xy 2
2 • 2 • 2 • x • y 3• 3• 3• a •b •b •b
= • factoring into primes
3• 3• a • a •b 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • x • y • y
2/ • 2/ • 2/ • 3/ • 3/ • 3 • x/ • y/ • a/ • b/ • b • b
= combining factors in one fraction
2/ • 2/ • 2/ • 2 • 3/ • 3/ • x/ • y/ • y • a/ • a • b/
3•b •b
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2•y•a
3b 2
= multiply remaining factors
2ay

185
When working with mixed numbers (both positive and negative), we can multiply and divide by
1 1
simply converting them to fractions. For example, to multiply 1 • 2 , we convert each mixed
2 3
number to a fraction, then multiply as in the previous examples:

1 1 3 7
1 •2 = • converting to fractions
2 3 2 3
3• 7
= factoring into primes
2•3
3/ • 7
= cancelling common factors
2 • 3/
7
= write remaining factors after cancelling
2
1
=3 converting back to mixed form
2

Division of mixed numbers is similar, except that the division must be rewritten as a
multiplication problem.

Example 3 Perform the following multiplications and divisions. Write all answers as mixed
numbers.

1 1
a. !5 • 2
3 4
" 1%
b. !6 • $ !4 '
# 3&
1 " 3%
c. 1 ÷ $ !3 '
8 # 4&
1 " 3%
d. !6 ÷ $ !3 '
4 # 5&

186
Solution a. Convert the mixed numbers to fractions, perform the multiplication, then
convert back to mixed numbers. The steps are:
1 1 16 9
!5 • 2 = ! • converting to fractions
3 4 3 4
2 • 2 • 2 • 2 3• 3
=! • factoring into primes
3 2•2
2/ • 2/ • 2 • 2 • 3/ • 3
=! cancelling common factors
2/ • 2/ • 3/
2•2•3
=! write remaining factors after cancelling
1
= !12 converting back to mixed form

b. Convert the mixed numbers to fractions, perform the multiplication, then

convert back to mixed numbers. The steps are:
" 1 % 6 13
!6 • $ !4 ' = • converting to fractions
# 3& 1 3
2 • 3 13
= • factoring into primes
1 3
2 • 3/ • 13
= cancelling common factors
1 • 3/
2 • 13
= write remaining factors after cancelling
1
= 26 converting back to mixed form

187
c. Convert the mixed numbers to fractions, convert the division to
multiplication, perform the multiplication, then convert back to mixed
numbers. The steps are:
1 " 3 % 9 " 15 %
1 ÷ $ !3 ' = ÷ $ ! ' converting to fractions
8 # 4& 8 # 4 &
9 " 4%
= •$! ' converting to multiplication
8 # 15 &
3• 3 2•2
=! • factoring into primes
2 • 2 • 2 3• 5
2/ • 2/ • 3 • 3/
=! cancelling common factors
2/ • 2/ • 2 • 3/ • 5
3
=! write remaining factors after cancelling
2•5
3
=! multiplying factors
10

d. Convert the mixed numbers to fractions, convert the division to

multiplication, perform the multiplication, then convert back to mixed
numbers. The steps are:
1 " 3% 25 " 18 %
!6 ÷ $ !3 ' = ! ÷ $! ' converting to fractions
4 # 5& 4 # 5&
25 " 5 %
=! •$! ' converting to multiplication
4 # 18 &
5•5 5
= • factoring into primes
2 • 2 2 • 3• 3
5•5•5
= combining factors
2 • 2 • 2 • 3• 3
125
= multiplying factors
72
53
=1 converting to mixed number
72

188
We now turn our attention to multiplication and division with decimals. You probably remember
that we need to count digits after the decimal point to perform multiplication of decimals.
Suppose we are multiplying the decimals:

5.2 ! 0.34

If we first convert each decimal to a fraction, we have:

52 34
5.2 ! 0.34 = !
10 100

Now multiplying numerators and denominators (without simplifying):

52 34 52 • 34 1768
! = =
10 100 10 • 100 1000

Converting this last fraction to a decimal:

1768
= 1.768
1000

The “shortcut” you have learned is readily apparent: Multiply the digits ( 52 ! 34 ), then count
the total number of digits after the decimal point to determine the place value (2 + 1 = 3), and
place the decimal point. Multiplying decimals is very much like multiplying whole numbers,
with the additional step of placing the decimal point.

Example 4 Multiply the following decimals.

a. 0.8 ! 5.7
b. !3.05 " 0.62
c. !5.7 " ( !4.01)
d. 0.000034 ! 2650
e. 0.00053 ! 1000

189
Solution a. First multiply the digits: 8 ! 57 = 456
There are two digits after the decimal place, so our answer should have two
digits also. Thus the answer is 4.56.

b. First multiply the digits: !305 " 62 = !18910

There are four digits after the decimal place, so our answer should have four
digits also. Thus the answer is –1.8910, or –1.891 after dropping the
place-value holder.

c. First multiply the digits: !57 " (!401) = 22857

There are three digits after the decimal place, so our answer should have
three digits also. Thus the answer is 22.857.

d. First multiply the digits: 34 ! 2650 = 90100

There are six digits after the decimal place, so our answer should have six
digits also. Thus the answer is 0.090100, or 0.0901 after dropping the last
two place-value holders. Note how we had to include a place-value holder
before the 9 digit, in order to have six digits after the decimal place.

e. Note that the digits are 53000. There are five digits after the decimal place,
so the value is 0.53000, or just 0.53. Note that, when multiplying by a
power of 10 (such as 1000), we can quickly do the multiplication by just
“moving” the decimal point to the right, once for each 10 being multiplied.
Since multiplying by 1000 adds on three zero digits (which count as digits
after the decimal place), the effect is to remove three digits after the
decimal.

Division of decimals involves a similar technique involving moving the decimal point with the
dividing number, called the divisor. Consider the division problem:

5.04 ÷ 0.3

Note that the divisor, which is 0.3, contains a decimal. The quotient will be the same if each
number is multiplied by the same number. This can be seen by converting the division problem
to a fraction problem:

5.04
5.04 ÷ 0.3 =
0.3

190
Now multiplying the fraction by the form of 1 which will remove the decimal in the
10
denominator, which in this case is :
10

5.04 10 50.4
• = or 50.4 ÷ 3
0.3 10 3

Thus the two divisions 5.04 ÷ 0.3 = 50.4 ÷ 3 . Now compute the quotient just as if whole numbers
were involved (which they are in the divisor):

16.8
3 50.4
3
20
18
24
24
0

Thus, when dividing decimals, if the divisor involves a decimal, multiply by the appropriate
power of 10 to eliminate its decimal. Being sure to keep the decimal points lined up, just perform
the division as with whole numbers.

Example 5 Divide the following decimals.

a. 2.52 ÷ 12
b. 3.006 ÷ 0.3
c. 0.126 ÷ 0.06
d. 3.006 ÷ 0.24
e. 51.46 ÷ 1000

191
Solution a. Since the divisor does not contain a decimal, we can compute the division
directly:
0.21
12 2.52
24
12
12
0
The quotient is 0.21.

b. Since the divisor is 0.3, we multiply each number by 10 to change the

division problem to 30.06 ÷ 3 . Now finding the quotient:
10.02
3 30.06
3
0
0
0
0
6
6
0
The quotient is 10.02.

c. Since the divisor is 0.06, we multiply each number by 100 to change the
division problem to 12.6 ÷ 6 . Now finding the quotient:
2.1
6 12.6
12
6
6
0
The quotient is 2.1.

192
 d. Since the divisor is 0.24, we multiply each number by 100 to change the
division problem to 300.6 ÷ 24 . Now finding the quotient:
12.525
24 300.600
24
60
48
126
120
60
48
120
120
0
The quotient is 12.525. Note that we had to add two zeros in the division
before the division was complete.

e. Recall in the previous example what occurred when the decimal was
multiplied by 1000. By the same reasoning, dividing by 1000 should
decrease the place values, or “move” the decimal point to the left three
times. Thus the quotient is 0.05146.

Multiplication and division of decimals by powers of ten is very common. The following table
summarizes what happens.

type what to do example

multiplication by 10 n move decimal to the right n times 4.381 ! 100 = 438.1
division by 10 n move decimal to the left n times 62.84 ÷ 100=0.6284

193
We finish this section with a topic from Chapter 1 involving division of whole numbers. When
presented with the division problem 57 ÷ 5 , we have three different types of division to perform.
Using a whole number approach:

11
5 57
5
7
5
2

So 57 ÷ 5 = 11 remainder 2. With mixed numbers, we know this remainder is a portion of 5, so

2
we can write this answer as 11 . The third approach is to continue the division, adding a 0
5
place-holder:

11.4
5 57.0
5
7
5
20
20
0

So 57 ÷ 5 = 11.4. All of these answers are correct. Which one to use is dependent upon the type
of problem (or application), as well as the instructions in the problem. Note that the continued
division with decimals often will produce a repeating decimal, which is why we usually prefer
the mixed number form for the answer. However, in applications which require a decimal
(money, for example), the third approach will still be used.

Terminology

reciprocal divisor

194
 Exercise Set 3.4

Multiply the given rational numbers. Leave your answers as fractions.

8 7 9 14
1. • 2. •
21 16 10 15
35 14 21 20
3. • 4. •
49 25 25 27
12 35 8 21
5. ! • 6. ! •
25 36 15 32
13 " 21 % 25 " 44 %
7. •$! ' 8. •$! '
14 # 143 & 32 # 55 &
" 16 % " 15 % " 75 % " 16 %
9. $# ! '& • $# ! '& 10. $ ! ' • $ ! '
# 80 & # 25 &
21 24
3 5 " 4% 2 1 " 3%
11. ! • •$! ' 12. ! • •$! '
7 12 # 5 & 3 6 # 4&
3 " 5% " 6% 4 " 7 % " 36 %
13. ! •$! ' •$! ' 14. ! •$! ' •$! '
5 # 6& # 7& 9 # 8 & # 49 &
33 " 17 % 8 11 " 10 % 48
15. ! •$! ' • 16. ! •$! ' •
40 # 18 & 11 36 # 21 & 55
15 8x 16a 7x
17. • 18. •
24x 5y 21x 8y
24ab 5xy 15ab 8x 2 y
19. • 20. •
25x 8b 2 12xy 5a 2b

Divide the given rational numbers. Leave your answers as fractions.

8 16 18 12
21. ÷ 22. ÷
15 25 19 95
5 " 3% 16 " 4 %
23. ÷ $! ' 24. ÷ $! '
12 # 4 & 21 # 7 &
2 " 11 % 5 " 1%
25. ! ÷ $ ! ' 26. ! ÷ $ ! '
9 # 15 & 8 # 4&
4 8 7 4
27. ! ÷ 28. ! ÷
9 9 10 5

195
 7 5
29. ! ÷ 14 30. ! ÷ 15
8 6
3xy 9xy 2 4xy 2 8x 2 y 2
31. ÷ 32. ÷
5a 2b 10ab 2 5ab 15ab 2
15x 3 y 2 5x 2 y 3 3xy 2 9x 2 y 2
33. ÷ 34. ÷
24a 2b 6ab 3 4ab 3 10a 2b 3

Perform the following multiplications and divisions. Write all answers as mixed numbers.

1 4
35. 13 • 5 36. 12 •8
3 5
1 1
37. 14 ÷ 5 38. 9 ÷6
4 3
3 4 2 1
39. 3 • 1 40. !2 • 4
4 5 3 6
3 2 2 " 1%
41. !5 ÷ 6 42. !9 ÷ $ !3 '
4 3 3 # 6&
3 2
43. !8 • 3 44. !12 • 6
4 3
1 " 1% 1 " 2%
45. 4 ÷ $ !2 ' 46. 3 ÷ $ !2 '
4 # 2& 3 # 5&
3 " 4% 3 " 5%
47. !3 • $ !2 ' 48. !6 • $ !3 '
4 # 5& 4 # 9&
1 5 1 4
49. !6 ÷ 50. !5 ÷
4 6 4 5
3 1 3 1
51. !8 • 52. !5 •
4 5 5 7
1 " 2% 3 " 4%
53. !5 ÷ $ !2 ' 54. !3 ÷ $ !2 '
4 # 3& 4 # 5&

Multiply the following decimals.

55. 0.52 ! 3.6 56. 0.65 ! 8.4

57. !0.06 " 245.8 58. !0.09 " 338.7
59. 6.4 ! ( "24.85 ) 60. 9.6 ! ( "13.42 )
61. !14.03 " ( !0.7 ) 62. !22.91 " ( !6.5 )

196
 63. 0.000005683 ! 1000 64. 0.0000437 ! 1000
65. !0.000369 " 10000 66. !0.00525 " 10000

Divide the following decimals. If a decimal is repeating, be sure to carry enough divisions so that
a pattern is indicated.

67. 8.04 ÷ 12 68. 9.63 ÷ 15

69. !5.043 ÷ 0.03 70. !9.642 ÷ 0.04
71. 3.52 ÷ (!0.4) 72. 4.125 ÷ (!1.25)
73. !13.584 ÷ (!0.12) 74. !26.85 ÷ (!0.015)
75. 1.553 ÷ 0.033 76. 9.865 ÷ 0.024
77. 95.68 ÷ 100 78. 103.5 ÷ 1000
79. 5.683 ÷ 1000 80. 2.37 ÷ 10000
81. 0.468 ÷ 100 82. 0.0985 ÷ 1000

Compute each of the following whole number divisions using (a) remainders, (b) mixed
numbers, and (c) decimals. If a decimal is repeating, be sure to carry enough divisions so that a
pattern is indicated.

83. 93 ÷ 5 84. 114 ÷ 5

85. 123 ÷ 4 86. 247 ÷ 4
87. 645 ÷ 12 88. 455 ÷ 15
89. 865 ÷ 12 90. 687 ÷ 11
91. 288 ÷ 11 92. 5280 ÷ 101

Answer each of the following application questions. Be sure to read the question, interpret the
problem mathematically, solve the problem, then answer the question. You should answer the
question in the form of a sentence.

93. Carolyn buys a car for which she makes car payments of $243.56 per month for
5 years. What is the total amount she pays for the car?
94. Todd leases a car for which he makes lease payments of $698.94 per month for
2 years. What is the total amount of his lease?
95. A small company pays $56.87 per week for advertising in the local paper. What is the
total cost of advertising for the company for one year?
96. Linda pays $24.86 per week for some rent-to-own furniture. How much does she pay
for the furniture for one year?
97. Deborah can get pencils at an office supply store for $1.15 each. How many can she
buy for $41.40? (Assume she does not have to pay tax.)
98. Alfred pays $1.75 per day for his bus commute in San Francisco. If he budgets
$591.50 for his bus commuting, how many days does he plan to commute?

197
 3 1
99. A farmer sold of his 56 tons of hay. How many tons of hay did he sell?
5 2
3 2
100. Jerry sold of his 120 tons of walnuts. How many tons of walnuts did he sell?
4 3
101. The value of land in a small town is $12,500 per acre. A small parcel of a lot is to be
3
purchased by the town for road improvement. If the size of that parcel is acre, how
40
much should the town expect to pay the owner for it?
1
102. Ross owns a lot which is 1 acres in size. If the value of land in his area is $48,000
3
per acre, what is the value of his lot?
103. Hank buys a snowmobile for $3180, and pays for it with a two year interest-free loan.
If he makes equal monthly payments, how much are his payments?
104. Sasha borrows $13,707 from her niece to buy a car. Her niece charges no interest, but
requires equal monthly payments for 5 years. How much are Sasha’s monthly
payments?
1
105. Don leaves of his estate to each of his six children. If each child inherits $12,846,
6
how much was the total estate?
4
106. Martha leaves of the value of her vineyard to a charity. If the charity inherits a
15
value of $68,452, what is the total value of her vineyard?
3
107. Todd claims of his cellular phone bill as a tax write-off for business expenses. If his
8
tax write-off was $726 last year, what was his total cellular phone bill?
5
108. Mary claims of her household expenses as a tax write-off for the care of a disabled
8
person. If her tax write-off was $5,840 last year, what were her total household
expenses?
3
109. John owns 120 shares of a stock which drops $14 per share in one day. How much
8
money does he lose in that day?
3
110. Dennis owns 480 shares of a stock which raises $5 per share in one day. How much
4
money does he gain in that day?

198
Answer the following questions.

2 1
111. What number must be multiplied by 15 so that the product is 56 ?
3 2
2
112. What number must be multiplied by 12 so that the product is 56?
3
3
113. What number must be divided by 28 so that the quotient is 35?
5
3
114. What number must be divided by 15 so that the quotient is 60?
4
1 3
115. If of of a number is 60, what is the number?
2 4
2 4
116. If of of a number is 120, what is the number?
3 5

199