Skip to content
Auralith
Menu
Log inGet started

Year 6 · Maths · Fractions · Lesson 5

Multiplying fractions

Multiply fractions by whole numbers and by other fractions, understand 'of' as multiply, and simplify answers.

Whiteboard video lesson: Multiplying fractions

24-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Multiply a fraction by a whole number
  • Multiply two fractions
  • Use 'of' as ×
  • Simplify answers
  • Explain why the answer can be smaller

The method

  1. Whole number? Write it over 1.
  2. Multiply the numerators.
  3. Multiply the denominators.
  4. Simplify.

Key words: multiply, numerator, denominator, of, simplify.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

Work out 1/4 × 3.

  1. Step 1: 3 = 3/1
  2. Step 2: Tops: 1 × 3 = 3. Bottoms: 4 × 1 = 4.
  3. Step 3: Can 3/4 simplify? No.

Answer: 3/4

Question 2

Work out 2/7 × 3.

  1. Step 1: 3 = 3/1
  2. Step 2: Tops: 2 × 3 = 6. Bottoms: 7 × 1 = 7.
  3. Step 3: Can 6/7 simplify? No.

Answer: 6/7

Question 3

Work out 3/8 × 4.

  1. Step 1: 4 = 4/1
  2. Step 2: Tops: 3 × 4 = 12. Bottoms: 8 × 1 = 8.
  3. Step 3: 12/8 = 3/2 (÷ 4)
  4. Step 4: 3/2 = 11/2

Answer: 11/2