Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions: 5 3/8 x 3 1/4 as a Fraction
When working with mixed numbers, it's essential to know how to convert them to improper fractions. In this article, we'll focus on converting the mixed numbers 5 3/8 and 3 1/4 to improper fractions and then multiplying them together.
Converting 5 3/8 to an Improper Fraction
To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, we need to multiply the whole number part (5) by the denominator (8) and then add the numerator (3).
Step 1: Multiply 5 by 8: 5 × 8 = 40
Step 2: Add 3 to the product: 40 + 3 = 43
Step 3: Write the result as an improper fraction: 43/8
So, 5 3/8 is equal to the improper fraction 43/8.
Converting 3 1/4 to an Improper Fraction
Using the same steps, let's convert 3 1/4 to an improper fraction.
Step 1: Multiply 3 by 4: 3 × 4 = 12
Step 2: Add 1 to the product: 12 + 1 = 13
Step 3: Write the result as an improper fraction: 13/4
So, 3 1/4 is equal to the improper fraction 13/4.
Multiplying the Improper Fractions
Now that we have both mixed numbers converted to improper fractions, we can multiply them together.
Multiplication:
(43/8) × (13/4) = ?
To multiply fractions, we need to multiply the numerators (43 and 13) and the denominators (8 and 4).
Step 1: Multiply the numerators: 43 × 13 = 559
Step 2: Multiply the denominators: 8 × 4 = 32
Step 3: Write the result as an improper fraction: 559/32
So, the product of 5 3/8 and 3 1/4 is the improper fraction 559/32.
In conclusion, converting mixed numbers to improper fractions is a crucial step in performing mathematical operations. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and multiply them together.
