Multiplying fractions

The Maths Habit

A square tray bake is cut down and across. How many pieces are there?

12 pieces. 3 strips down, 4 strips across: 3 × 4 = 12.

What fraction of each square is shaded?

13
25
34

Numerator
The top number of a fraction. It tells you how many parts to shade.
23
Denominator
The bottom number of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts the whole is cut into.
23
Product
The answer when you multiply.
3 × 4 = 12

1234
  1. 1Shade the first fraction down.Cut the square down. Use the first bottom number. Shade the top number of strips.
  2. 2Shade the second fraction across.Cut it across. Use the second bottom number. Shade the top number of strips.
  3. 3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.Tops × tops = the squares in both. Bottoms × bottoms = all the squares.

Work out 12 × 14.

1214
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 8 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
12 × 14 = 1 × 12 × 4 = 18

Work out 13 × 12.

1312
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 6 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
13 × 12 = 1 × 13 × 2 = 16

Work out 12 × 14.

1214
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 8 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
12 × 14 = 1 × 12 × 4 = 18
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 12 × 15.

1215
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 10 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
12 × 15 = 1 × 12 × 5 = 110

Work out 12 × 14.

1214
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 8 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
12 × 14 = 1 × 12 × 4 = 18
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 13 × 14.

1314
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 12 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
13 × 14 = 1 × 13 × 4 = 112

Work out 12 × 14.

1214
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 8 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
12 × 14 = 1 × 12 × 4 = 18
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 14 × 15.

1415
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
1 of 20 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
14 × 15 = 1 × 14 × 5 = 120

1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

1Work out 12 × 12.

1212
1 of 4 squares are in both
12 × 12 = 1 × 12 × 2 = 14

2Work out 13 × 13.

1313
1 of 9 squares are in both
13 × 13 = 1 × 13 × 3 = 19

3Work out 12 × 16.

1216
1 of 12 squares are in both
12 × 16 = 1 × 12 × 6 = 112

4Work out 14 × 14.

1414
1 of 16 squares are in both
14 × 14 = 1 × 14 × 4 = 116

How many small squares are shaded twice?

2
3
6

Work out 23 × 45.

2345
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
8 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 45 = 2 × 43 × 5 = 815

Work out 25 × 13.

2513
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
2 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
25 × 13 = 2 × 15 × 3 = 215

Work out 23 × 45.

2345
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
8 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 45 = 2 × 43 × 5 = 815
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 23 × 13.

2313
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
2 of 9 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 13 = 2 × 13 × 3 = 29

Work out 23 × 45.

2345
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
8 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 45 = 2 × 43 × 5 = 815
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 14 × 35.

1435
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
3 of 20 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
14 × 35 = 1 × 34 × 5 = 320

Work out 23 × 45.

2345
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
8 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 45 = 2 × 43 × 5 = 815
1Shade the first fraction down.2Shade the second fraction across.3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.

Work out 23 × 25.

2325
1Shade the first fraction down.
2Shade the second fraction across.
4 of 15 squares are in both
3Multiply the tops and the bottoms.
23 × 25 = 2 × 23 × 5 = 415

Multiplying fractions worksheet, page 1

Multiplying fractions worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

Is it right?
Thumbs up: right. Thumbs down: wrong.

  1. 12 × 13 = 25

    Wrong: it is 16

  2. 12 × 12 = 14

    Right

  3. 23 × 15 = 215

    Right

  4. 13 × 14 = 17

    Wrong: it is 112

  5. 34 × 12 = 38

    Right

  1. Work out 23 × 34. Give your answer in its simplest form.

    12

  2. Work out 35 × 4. Write 4 as 41.

    125 = 225

  3. 34 × ? = 310. Find the missing fraction.

    25

  1. Work out 13 × 15.

    115
    131Shade the firstfraction down.2Shade the secondfraction across.ofsquares arein both3Multiply the topsand the bottoms.13×15=××=

  2. Work out 35 × 12.

    310
    1Shade the firstfraction down.2Shade the secondfraction across.ofsquares arein both3Multiply the topsand the bottoms.35×12=××=

  3. Work out 34 × 15.

    320
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