Multiplying Fractions: 1 1/4 x 2
Multiplying fractions might seem tricky, but with a few simple steps, it becomes easy! Let's break down how to calculate 1 1/4 x 2.
Understanding Mixed Numbers
First, we need to convert the mixed number 1 1/4 into an improper fraction. To do this, we multiply the whole number (1) by the denominator (4), add the numerator (1), and keep the same denominator.
(1 x 4) + 1 = 5, so 1 1/4 becomes 5/4.
Multiplying Fractions
Now we have a simple multiplication problem: 5/4 x 2/1 (remember that any whole number can be expressed as a fraction with a denominator of 1).
To multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators and the denominators:
(5 x 2) / (4 x 1) = 10/4
Simplifying the Result
Finally, we can simplify the fraction 10/4. Both numerator and denominator share a common factor of 2. Dividing both by 2, we get:
10/4 = 5/2
Converting back to a Mixed Number
The final answer is 5/2, which is an improper fraction. We can convert it back into a mixed number. 2 goes into 5 two times with a remainder of 1.
Therefore, 5/2 is equivalent to 2 1/2.
Summary
1 1/4 x 2 = 5/4 x 2/1 = 10/4 = 5/2 = 2 1/2