7 1/2 x 4 3/4: Understanding Fraction Multiplication
When it comes to multiplying fractions, many people get confused. But fear not! In this article, we will explore the multiplication of two fractions: 7 1/2 and 4 3/4.
What are Mixed Numbers?
Before we dive into the multiplication process, let's quickly review what mixed numbers are. A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. For example, 7 1/2 is a mixed number because it has a whole number part (7) and a fraction part (1/2).
Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
To multiply mixed numbers, we need to convert them to improper fractions first. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
7 1/2 = 15/2
To convert 7 1/2 to an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number part (7) by the denominator (2) and then add the numerator (1). This gives us 15/2.
4 3/4 = 19/4
Using the same process, we can convert 4 3/4 to an improper fraction. We multiply the whole number part (4) by the denominator (4) and then add the numerator (3). This gives us 19/4.
Multiplying Fractions
Now that we have our improper fractions, we can multiply them together.
15/2 × 19/4 = ?
To multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
Numerators: 15 × 19 = 285 Denominators: 2 × 4 = 8
So, the result of the multiplication is:
285/8
Simplifying the Result
Finally, we can simplify the result by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
GCD of 285 and 8 is 1
Since the GCD is 1, we cannot simplify the fraction further.
7 1/2 × 4 3/4 = 285/8
And that's the result of multiplying 7 1/2 and 4 3/4!
