How do you multiply a fraction by a whole number? Multiplying a fraction by a whole number is a fundamental concept in mathematics that is often encountered in various educational settings. This article aims to provide a clear and concise explanation of how to perform this operation, ensuring that readers have a solid understanding of the process.
In order to multiply a fraction by a whole number, you need to follow a simple step-by-step procedure. First, it is important to understand that a whole number can be represented as a fraction with a denominator of 1. For example, the whole number 5 can be written as 5/1. By converting the whole number into a fraction, you can then multiply it with the given fraction.
Let’s take an example to illustrate this process. Suppose we have the fraction 3/4 and we want to multiply it by the whole number 5. To do this, we first convert the whole number 5 into a fraction with a denominator of 1, which is 5/1. Now, we can multiply the two fractions:
3/4 5/1 = (3 5) / (4 1) = 15/4
The result, 15/4, is a fraction that represents the product of the original fraction and the whole number. In this case, the fraction 15/4 can be simplified further if possible. However, in this particular example, the fraction cannot be simplified any further.
It is worth noting that when multiplying a fraction by a whole number, the denominator of the resulting fraction remains the same as the denominator of the original fraction. This means that the process of multiplying a fraction by a whole number does not change the denominator.
In summary, to multiply a fraction by a whole number, you need to convert the whole number into a fraction with a denominator of 1, and then multiply the two fractions. The resulting fraction will have the same denominator as the original fraction. By following this simple procedure, you can easily multiply fractions by whole numbers and gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental mathematical concept.
