Exercise 14 Page p19

We want to find the product of the given numbers.

2 \frac{1}{2} \cdot (- \frac{1}{4})

To do so, let's rewrite the mixed number as an improper fraction before multiplying.

2 \frac{1}{2} \cdot (- \frac{1}{4})

MixedToFrac

$a \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a \cdot c + b}{c}$

\frac{2 \cdot 2 + 1}{2} \cdot (- \frac{1}{4})

Multiply

\frac{4 + 1}{2} \cdot (- \frac{1}{4})

AddTerms

Add terms

\frac{5}{2} \cdot (- \frac{1}{4})

MultPosNeg

$a (- b) = - a \cdot b$

- \frac{5}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{4}

Now, remember that when we multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators and denominators separately. Since the numerators do not share any common factors with the denominators, we cannot reduce the fractions before multiplying.

- \frac{5}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{4}

MultFrac

Multiply fractions

- \frac{5 \cdot 1}{2 \cdot 4}

Multiply

- \frac{5}{8}

The product of the fractions is

- \frac{5}{8} .

Checking Our Answer

We can check our answer by finding the sum of the given fractions in a calculator. Let's check our math!

As we can see, we obtain the same result as before. Therefore, we were correct!

Extra

Fractions

Fractions are a specific type of ratio that compare a part to a whole. There are many possibles situations in life that can be solved or described using fractions. Let's see some examples!

Dividing the bill between a group of friends.
Dividing the pizza slices equally.
Score of test and exams are generally expressed as fractions.
Measurements in a recipe.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about working with fractions, you can read more about them on the following pages.

Hints

Check the answer

Checking Our Answer

Extra