Multiplying Fractions

Multiply the tops, multiply the bottoms.

There are 3 simple steps to multiply fractions

1. Multiply the top numbers (the numerators).

2. Multiply the bottom numbers (the denominators).

3. Simplify the fraction if needed.

Example:
12 × 25

Step 1. Multiply the top numbers:

12 × 25  =  1  ×  2   =  2 

Step 2. Multiply the bottom numbers:

12 × 25  =  1  ×  22 × 5  =  210

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

210 = 15

With Pizza

Here you can see it with pizza ...

 Do you see that half of two-fifths is two-tenths?
Do you also see that two-tenths is simpler as one-fifth?

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):

Another Example:
13 × 916

Step 1. Multiply the top numbers:

13 × 916  =  1  ×  9   =  9 

Step 2. Multiply the bottom numbers:

13 × 916  =  1  ×  93 × 16  =  948

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

948 = 316

(This time we simplified by dividing both top and bottom by 3)

The Rhyme
♫  "Multiplying fractions: no big problem,
Top times top over bottom times bottom.
"And don't forget to simplify,
Before it's time to say goodbye" ♫
Fractions and Whole Numbers
What about multiplying fractions and whole numbers?

Make the whole number a fraction, by putting it over 1.

Example: 5 is also 51
Then continue as before.

Example:
23  ×  5

Make 5 into 51 :

23 × 51

Now just go ahead as normal.

Multiply tops and bottoms:

23 × 51  =  2  ×  53 × 1  =  103

The fraction is already as simple as it can be.

Answer = 103
Or you can just think of the whole number as being a "top" number:

Example:
3 × 29
Multiply tops and bottoms:

3  × 29  =  3  ×  29  =  69

Simplify:

69 = 23