ABACUS – FRACTION MULTIPLICATION
I. GENERAL RULES :
a) In fraction multiplication, the number should be converted into improper fraction
before multiplication. For example, the improper fraction of^5 43 is^235. How
did you get this? First, the whole number and the denominator of the fraction
are multiplied. The numerator is then added with this value. This total value as
the numerator and the original denominator value are presented in the form of
a fraction. This fraction is known as improper fraction. In improper fraction,
the numerator is always greater than the denominator.b) Two numbers are taken at a time for multiplication. After converting the given
fractions into improper fractions the numerator of the first improper fraction is
multiplied by the numerator of the second improper fraction. Similarly, the
denominator of the first improper fraction is multiplied by the denominator of
the second improper fraction.c) After the multiplication is through with this process, the value should be converted
into a proper fraction by dividing the numerator by the denominator. In doing
so you can calculate the whole number, numerator and the denominator.d) For multiplication of small fractions involving single digit numerator and
denominator, one abacus will be sufficient. But multiplication process becomes
complicated with one abacus when fractions having multiple digit numerators
and denominators are multiplied. In this case, the placement of multiplied
value in the abacus will be difficult.