Fractions can be multiplied and divided just like whole numbers — multiplying combines parts, and dividing shares them out. Once you learn the "flip and multiply" trick, dividing fractions becomes as easy as multiplying them!
🔢Fraction × Whole Number: Multiply the numerator by the whole number, keep the denominator the same. E.g. 3 × 1/4 = 3/4 (same as adding 1/4 three times).
✖️Fraction × Fraction: Multiply the numerators together, then multiply the denominators together. a/b × c/d = (a×c)/(b×d).
✂️Simplify First: Before multiplying, cancel any common factors between a numerator and a denominator — the numbers get smaller and easier to handle!
🔄Reciprocal: Flip a fraction upside-down to get its reciprocal. The reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2. A fraction times its own reciprocal always equals 1!
➗Dividing Fractions: To divide by a fraction, don't divide — multiply by its reciprocal instead! a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c. This is the "flip and multiply" trick.
📏Bigger or Smaller? Multiplying by a fraction less than 1 makes a number smaller. Dividing by a fraction less than 1 makes a number bigger!
Try thisLeena made 5 cups of tea using 1/4 litre of milk in all. How much milk is in each cup? That's 1/4 ÷ 5 = 1/4 × 1/5 = 1/20 litre in every cup!
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