Multiplying Mixed Numbers: 1 2/4 * 3 5/6
This article will walk you through the steps of multiplying the mixed numbers 1 2/4 and 3 5/6.
Step 1: Convert Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
- 1 2/4: Multiply the whole number (1) by the denominator (4) and add the numerator (2). This gives you 6. Keep the same denominator (4). So, 1 2/4 becomes 6/4.
- 3 5/6: Multiply the whole number (3) by the denominator (6) and add the numerator (5). This gives you 23. Keep the same denominator (6). So, 3 5/6 becomes 23/6.
Step 2: Multiply the Fractions
Now that we have improper fractions, we can multiply:
(6/4) * (23/6)
To multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators and the denominators:
(6 * 23) / (4 * 6)
Step 3: Simplify
- 138 / 24
- This fraction can be simplified by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, which is 6.
138/6 = 23 24/6 = 4
This gives us the simplified answer: 23/4
Step 4: Convert Back to Mixed Number (Optional)
If you want to express the answer as a mixed number, divide the numerator (23) by the denominator (4):
- 23 divided by 4 is 5 with a remainder of 3.
Therefore, the answer can be written as 5 3/4.
Conclusion
By following these steps, we have successfully multiplied the mixed numbers 1 2/4 and 3 5/6, obtaining the result of 23/4 or 5 3/4. Remember to always convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before multiplying, and simplify the result whenever possible.