Basic Mathematics for College Students

298 Chapter 3 Summary and Review

SECTION 3.2 Multiplying Fractions

To multiply two fractions, multiply the

numerators and multiply the denominators.

Simplify the result, if possible.

DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTS EXAMPLES

Multiply and simplify, if possible:

Since 8 and 15 have no common factors other than 1, the result is in

simplest form.



8

15

Multiply the numerators.

Multiply the denominators.

4

5



2

3



4  2

5  3

4

5



2

3

1. Identify the numerator and denominator of
   the fraction. Is it a proper or an improper
   fraction?


2. Write fractions that represent the
   shaded and unshaded portions of the
   figure to the right.


3. In the illustration below, why can’t we
   say that of the figure is shaded?


4. Write the fraction in two other ways.


5. Simplify, if possible:

a. b.

c. d.

6. What concept about fractions is illustrated
   below?

Write each fraction as an equivalent fraction with the indicated

denominator.

7. , denominator 18 8. , denominator 16


8. , denominator 45 10. , denominator 60

13

12

7

15

3

8

2

3

7

0

18

1

0

10

5

5

2

 3

3

4

11

16

11. Write 5 as an equivalent fraction with
    denominator 9.


12. Are the following fractions in simplest form?

a. b.

Simplify each fraction, if possible.

13. 
    
    
    
    14. 
        
    
    
    
    


14. 
    
    
    
    16. 
        
    
    
    
    

17.

18. Tell whether and are equivalent by simplifying
    each fraction.


19. SLEEP If a woman gets seven hours of sleep each
    night, write a fraction to describe the part of a whole
    day that she spends sleeping and another to describe
    the part of a whole day that she is not sleeping.


20. a. What type of problem is shown below? Explain
    the solution.

b. What type of problem is shown below? Explain

the solution.

4

6



2

1

 2

2

1

 3



2

3

5

8



5

8



2

2



10

16

176

264

8

12

81

64

117

208

66

108

20

48

15

45

10

81

6

9

REVIEW EXERCISES