Math · Fractions

Multiplying & Dividing Fractions

Good news — multiplying fractions is easier than adding them, because you don't need a common denominator! We'll show you how to multiply across, how to divide using "keep, change, flip," and let you practice both.

Part 01

The Big Idea

To add or subtract fractions, you first had to make the denominators match. Multiplying and dividing are different — you can jump straight in, no common denominator needed.

Two little rules to remember 💡

Multiply: go straight across — top times top, bottom times bottom.
Divide: keep the first fraction, change the sign to multiply, and flip the second fraction upside down.

Part 02

Multiplying Fractions

Multiply the two numerators to get the new top number, and multiply the two denominators to get the new bottom number. That's it!

2 3
×
3 4
=
2 × 3 3 × 4
=
6 12

The word "of" is a great clue that you'll multiply. Finding 2/3 of 3/4 means the same thing as 2/3 × 3/4. Here's what that looks like:

Visual: 2/3 of 3/4
The whole square is split into 12 equal pieces. The overlap covers 6 of them — that's 6/12, which simplifies to 1/2.

Don't forget to simplify ✓

6/12 has a common factor of 6, so 6/12 = 1/2. Always check whether your answer can be reduced to its smallest form.

Part 03

A Fraction Times a Whole Number

A whole number is secretly a fraction — just put it over 1. Then multiply across like normal.

4 ×
2 5
=
4 1
×
2 5
=
8 5

The answer 8/5 is an improper fraction (top bigger than bottom). You can leave it that way, or write it as the mixed number 1 and 3/5.

Part 04

Dividing Fractions: Keep, Change, Flip

Dividing looks tricky, but there's a simple trick. To divide by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal — the same fraction flipped upside down.

1 2
÷
3 4
1

Keep the first fraction

Leave 1/2 exactly as it is.

2

Change to multiply

Switch the division into multiplication.

3

Flip the second fraction

Turn 3/4 upside down to make its reciprocal, 4/3.

1 2
×
4 3
=
4 6
=
2 3

Why does flipping work? 🤔

Dividing by 3/4 asks "how many 3/4-sized pieces fit into 1/2?" Multiplying by the flipped fraction 4/3 gives the same answer — it undoes the split. The reciprocal is just the "opposite" of the fraction.

Your Turn!

Practice Problems

Work through each one, then check your answer. You can enter the answer straight across (like 6/12) or already simplified (like 1/2) — both count!

Problem 1 — Multiplication

Multiply these fractions:

×

Multiply top × top and bottom × bottom, then fill in your answer.

answer
Problem 2 — Division

Divide these fractions:

÷

First flip the second fraction to make its reciprocal, then multiply.

Reciprocal of the second fraction:
flipped
Final answer:
answer