Multiplying Fractions

Here's some good news -- it's pretty easy to multiply fractions! There's no complicated rules or procedures -- just multiply the numerators together and then multiply the denominators together. Here's a few examples just to make sure you understand:

$\frac{1}{3} * \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1*1}{3*2} = \frac{1}{6}$

$\frac{4}{7} * \frac{2}{3} = \frac{4*2}{7*3} = \frac{8}{21}$

$\frac{5}{6} * \frac{4}{3} = \frac{5*4}{6*3} = \frac{20}{18} = \frac{10}{9}$

Of course, you can do the same with more complicated fractions that contain variables. The same rules apply -- just multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators. Then simplify the fraction if necessary.

$\frac{x}{3} * \frac{1}{2} = \frac{x*1}{3*2} = \frac{x}{6}$

$\frac{x}{2} * \frac{1+x}{2-x} = \frac{x*(1+x)}{2*(2-x)} = \frac{x+x^2}{4-2x}$

Remember -- don't try this with addition or subtraction! It only works this way for multiplication.