Teaching Sixth Graders to Multiply Fractions

Introduction

• Presenter: Rachel Calif
• Topic: Multiplying fractions for sixth-grade students

Basic Multiplication of Fractions

• Example Problem: (\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{1}{5})
  • Multiply the numerators: (2 \times 1 = 2)
  • Multiply the denominators: (3 \times 5 = 15)
  • Result: (\frac{2}{15})

Reducing Fractions

• Example Problem: (\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{1}{8})
  • First step: Multiply
    • (2 \times 1 = 2)
    • (3 \times 8 = 24)
    • Result: (\frac{2}{24})
  • Simplifying the result:
    • Find common factors of numerator and denominator:
      • Common factor of 2 and 24 is 2.
    • Divide both by 2:
      • (\frac{2}{2} = 1)
      • (\frac{24}{2} = 12)
    • Simplified Result: (\frac{1}{12})

Alternative Method: Simplifying Before Multiplying

• Example Problem: (\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{1}{8})
  • Look for common factors before multiplying:
    • Common factor of 2 and 8 is 2.
    • Simplify:
      • (\frac{2}{2} = 1)
      • (\frac{8}{2} = 4)
  • Multiply simplified fractions:
    • (1 \times 1 = 1)
    • (3 \times 4 = 12)
  • Simplified Result: (\frac{1}{12})

Advantages of Simplifying Before Multiplying

• Easier to manage larger numbers.
• Reduces workload by avoiding multiplying and then reducing large numbers.

Conclusion

• Simplifying fractions before multiplying can save time and effort, especially with larger numbers.
• Thank you for learning about multiplying fractions.