Multiplying Fractions Review

When adding and subtracting fractions, you count same-size parts by having a common denominator.

When multiplying fractions, the sizes of the parts change. You are taking part of a part of something.

Watch a short video below to review multiplying fractions and write down the answers to these questions:

• When multiplying fractions, do the denominators need to be the same?
• What is the procedure for multiplying fractions?
• What word found in word problems means "to multiply"?

Discuss the questions above after you have watched Math Antics - Multiplying Fractions:

 

Now, discuss and solve the question from the beginning of the lesson with a parent or teacher:

At the baseball game, you and your friend each order a pizza. The pizzas are the same size, but sliced differently. Your pizza is cut into 12 slices and your friend’s pizza is cut into 8 slices. If each of you ate half of your own pizza, how many slices did each of you eat? Who ate more slices of their pizza?

Draw a picture to represent the two pizzas. Use your drawing to help you solve the problem.

Discuss with a parent or teacher:

• Based on the pizza example above, why is it important to know the amount that represents the whole? For example, one pizza had 12 slices and the other had 8 slices.
• What happened when you took half of each differently-sliced pizza?
• If you take the same fraction amount of a whole, do you always get an equal amount? Since you found half of each pizza, was the amount of slices the same? Why or why not?

Now, move on to the Got It? section to practice multiplying fractions with an interactive game.