Definition
Fraction multiplication
Fraction multiplication finds a product when at least one factor is a fraction.
What it means
Think “this fraction of that amount.” Three fourths of 20 means split 20 into 4 equal shares and take 3. A positive factor below 1 makes a quantity smaller; a factor above 1 makes it larger.
Remember it
“Of” points to multiplication: split by the denominator, take the numerator.
Example
To find 3/4 × 20, divide 20 into 4 equal shares: 20 ÷ 4 = 5. Take 3 shares: 3 × 5 = 15.
Watch for
Multiplying by a fraction does not always make a positive number smaller; multiplying by a fraction greater than 1 makes it larger.
Common mix-up
The denominator tells how many equal shares to make; it is not added to the numerator.
Exact meaning
Fraction multiplication finds a product when at least one factor is a fraction. It can mean taking a fraction of a quantity, repeating a fractional amount, or scaling a quantity.