Simplifying Fractions: 4/8 × 12/16
When it comes to multiplying fractions, the process can seem daunting at first. However, with a solid understanding of the concept and a few simple steps, you can easily simplify fractions like 4/8 × 12/16.
Step 1: Multiply the Numerators
To multiply fractions, we need to multiply the numerators (the numbers on top) and multiply the denominators (the numbers on the bottom).
In this case, we have:
Numerators: 4 × 12 = 48 Denominators: 8 × 16 = 128
So, the product of the fractions is:
48/128
Step 2: Simplify the Fraction
Now that we have the product, we need to simplify the fraction. To do this, we need to find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator.
The GCD of 48 and 128 is 16. Therefore, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by 16 to simplify the fraction:
48 ÷ 16 = 3 128 ÷ 16 = 8
So, the simplified fraction is:
3/8
And that's it! The product of 4/8 × 12/16 is 3/8.
Remember
When multiplying fractions, always follow these steps:
- Multiply the numerators to get the new numerator.
- Multiply the denominators to get the new denominator.
- Simplify the fraction by finding the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator.
By following these steps, you can easily multiply and simplify fractions like a pro!
