10 1/2 x 1/4: Understanding Fraction Multiplication
Are you struggling to multiply fractions? Do you get confused when dealing with mixed numbers and improper fractions? Fear not! In this article, we'll break down the multiplication of 10 1/2 and 1/4, making it easy to understand and calculate.
What is 10 1/2?
Before we dive into the multiplication, let's quickly revisit what 10 1/2 represents. This mixed number consists of a whole number part (10) and a fraction part (1/2). To convert it to an improper fraction, you can multiply the whole number by the denominator (2) and then add the numerator (1):
10 × 2 = 20 20 + 1 = 21
So, 10 1/2 is equal to the improper fraction 21/2.
Multiplying 10 1/2 and 1/4
Now, let's multiply 10 1/2 by 1/4. To do this, we'll follow the rule for multiplying fractions:
(a/b) × (c/d) = (ac)/(bd)
In our case, a = 21, b = 2, c = 1, and d = 4. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
(21/2) × (1/4) = (21 × 1) / (2 × 4) = 21 / 8
So, the result of multiplying 10 1/2 and 1/4 is 21/8.
Converting to a Mixed Number
If you'd like to express the result as a mixed number, you can divide the numerator (21) by the denominator (8):
21 ÷ 8 = 2 with a remainder of 5
This gives us:
2 5/8
Conclusion
Multiplying fractions, especially when dealing with mixed numbers, can be daunting. However, by breaking it down step by step and following the rules of fraction multiplication, you can easily calculate the result of 10 1/2 × 1/4, which equals 21/8 or 2 5/8 in mixed number form.
