Algebra Demystified 2nd Ed

4 alGebra De mystif ieD

That is, the numerator of the product is the whole number times the fraction’s

numerator, and the denominator is the fraction’s denominator.

An alternate method for finding the product of a whole number and a frac-

tion is to treat the whole number as a fraction—the whole number over one—

and then multiply as we would any two fractions. This method gives us the

same rule:

W⋅= ⋅=ab Wa 11 b Wa⋅⋅b =Wab

EXAMPLE

Find the product 5 ⋅^23 with each method outlined above.

5 2

3

52

3

10

3

⋅=⋅ = or

or

5 2

3

5

1

2

3

52

13

10

3

⋅=⋅=⋅

⋅

=

PRACTICE

Find the product with either of the two methods outlined above.

1.^6
7

⋅= 9

2.^81
6

⋅=

3. 4 2
   5

⋅=

4. 143 ⋅=^2


5. 12 2
   15

⋅=

1

9

1

9

FIGURE 1-

1

9

1

9

1

(^1 )
1
9
1
(^91 91 )
FIGURE 1-
EXAMPLE
Find the product
PRACTICE
Find the product with either of the two methods outlined above.