Business Mathematics

Fourteenth Edition

Chapter 2
Fractions

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Section 2.4 Multiplication and
Division of Fractions

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Objectives
1. Multiply proper fractions.
2. Use cancellation.
3. Multiply mixed numbers.
4. Divide fractions.
5. Divide mixed numbers.
6. Multiply or divide by whole numbers.

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Multiply Proper Fractions
Multiply the numerators.
Multiply denominators.
Write in lowest terms.

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Use Cancellation
Any numerator can cancel with any
denominator as long as both are divisible
without remainder by the same number other
than 1.

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Example 1
Multiply. 2 1

(a) 8  5 = 8  5 2 1 2
= 
15 12 15 12 3  3 9
3 3

7 8
35 32 35 32 7  8 56 11
(b)  =    3
12 25 12 25 3  5 15 15
3 5

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Multiply Mixed Numbers
Change the mixed numbers to improper
fractions.
Cancel.
Multiply the fractions.

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Example 2a
Multiply.
3
(a) 3  8
2
4 3
5 13
15 26 5  13 65 1
    32
4 3 2 1 2 2
2 1

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Example 2b
Multiply.
3 1 3
(b) 1  3  1
5 3 4
2 2
8 10 7 2  2  7 28 1
    9
5 3 4 1 3  1 3 3
1 1

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Divide Fractions
Invert the divisor (fraction following the )
To invert a fraction, exchange the numerator
and denominator.
Multiply.

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Example 4
Divide.
1

(a) 7  1  7  4  7  1  7  3 1
8 4 8 1 2 1 2 2
2
5 1
25 15 25 18 5 1 5
(b)     
36 18 36 15 2  3 6
2 3

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Divide Mixed Numbers
Change mixed numbers to improper
fractions.
Invert the divisor.
Multiply the fractions.

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Multiply or Divide by Whole Numbers
Write the whole number as a fraction over 1.
Multiply or divide as usual.

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Example 5 (1 of 2)
A cabinetmaker will need
80 base-end panels to
complete a job. If
1
each panel is 34
2
inches in length, how
many inches of oak
material are needed,
assuming no waste?

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Example 5 (2 of 2)
Multiply the number of panels needed, 80, by
1
the length of each panel, 34 :
40 2
69 80 69 40  69
80    
2 1 2 1 1
1
2760
  2760 inches
1
The length of material needed by the
cabinetmaker is 2760 inches.
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Example 6 (1 of 2)
To complete a custom-designed cabinet, oak
1
trim pieces must be cut exactly 2 inches long
4
so that they can be used as dividers in a
spice rack. Find the number of pieces that
can be cut from a piece of oak that is 54
inches in length.

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Example 6 (2 of 2)
To divide the length of the piece of oak, 54, by
1 1
2 , first change the mixed number 2 ,
4 4
9
to the fraction .
4 6
1 9 54 4 6  4 24
54  2  54       24
4 4 1 9 1 1 1
1

The number of trim pieces that can be cut

from the oak stock is 24.
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