Finding the Product of Mixed Numbers: 1 2/3 x 2 1/2
In this article, we'll explore how to multiply mixed numbers, specifically 1 2/3 and 2 1/2, and express the result as a fraction.
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
The first step is to convert our mixed numbers into improper fractions. To do this, we follow these steps:
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Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction.
- For 1 2/3: 1 x 3 = 3
- For 2 1/2: 2 x 2 = 4
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Add the numerator of the fraction to the result.
- For 1 2/3: 3 + 2 = 5
- For 2 1/2: 4 + 1 = 5
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Keep the same denominator.
- For 1 2/3: The improper fraction is 5/3.
- For 2 1/2: The improper fraction is 5/2.
Multiplying Improper Fractions
Now, we have the following multiplication: (5/3) x (5/2)
To multiply fractions, we simply multiply the numerators and the denominators:
(5 x 5) / (3 x 2) = 25/6
Simplifying the Result
The fraction 25/6 is an improper fraction. To convert it back into a mixed number, we divide the numerator (25) by the denominator (6):
25 ÷ 6 = 4 with a remainder of 1.
Therefore, the final answer in mixed number form is 4 1/6.
Conclusion
By converting mixed numbers into improper fractions, we can easily multiply them and simplify the result to obtain the product in a desired format. In this case, we found that 1 2/3 times 2 1/2 is equal to 4 1/6.