How is the process used to multiply a fraction and a whole number similar to the process of multiplying two whole numbers
If you think of a whole number as x/1, they are the same.
To understand how the process used to multiply a fraction and a whole number is similar to the process of multiplying two whole numbers, let's break down the steps for both scenarios:
Multiplying Two Whole Numbers:
1. Take the first whole number (the multiplicand).
2. Multiply it by the second whole number (the multiplier).
3. The product obtained is the result of multiplying the two whole numbers together.
For example, if we want to multiply 4 and 5, we follow these steps:
1. Take the first whole number, 4.
2. Multiply it by the second whole number, 5.
3. The product is 20, which is the result of multiplying 4 and 5 together.
Multiplying a Fraction and a Whole Number:
1. Take the fraction (the multiplicand).
2. Convert the whole number to a fraction by putting it over 1 (denominator is 1).
3. Multiply the fraction by the whole number fraction.
4. Simplify the result if possible.
For example, let's multiply the fraction 1/2 by the whole number 4:
1. Take the fraction, 1/2.
2. Convert the whole number 4 to a fraction as 4/1 (numerator is 4, denominator is 1).
3. Multiply the fraction (1/2) by the whole number fraction (4/1):
(1/2) * (4/1) = (1 * 4) / (2 * 1) = 4/2.
4. Simplify the result if possible. In this case, 4/2 can be simplified to 2/1, which is equal to 2.
So, in both cases, the process of multiplying involves taking the two numbers, whether they are whole numbers or a fraction and a whole number, and performing the multiplication operation to obtain the product. The only difference when multiplying a fraction and a whole number is that the whole number is converted to a fraction before the multiplication takes place.