Multiply and Divide Mixed Numbers and Complex Fractions

Multiply and Divide Mixed Numbers

In the previous section, you learned how to multiply and divide fractions. All of the examples there used either proper or improper fractions. What happens when you are asked to multiply or divide mixed numbers? Remember that we can convert a mixed number to an improper fraction. And you learned how to do that in Visualize Fractions.

Multiply: $3 \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{5}{8}$

Solution

Step-by-step guide demonstrating the multiplication of a mixed number by a fraction, from conversion to simplification.
	$3 \frac{1}{3} \cdot \frac{5}{8}$
Convert $3 \frac{1}{3}$ to an improper fraction.	$\frac{10}{3} \cdot \frac{5}{8}$
Multiply.	$\frac{10 \cdot 5}{3 \cdot 8}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{2̸ \cdot 5 \cdot 5}{3 \cdot 2̸ \cdot 4}$
Remove common factors.	$\frac{5 \cdot 5}{3 \cdot 4}$
Simplify.	$\frac{25}{12}$

Notice that we left the answer as an improper fraction, $\frac{25}{12},$ and did not convert it to a mixed number. In algebra, it is preferable to write answers as improper fractions instead of mixed numbers. This avoids any possible confusion between $2 \frac{1}{12}$ and $2 \cdot \frac{1}{12} .$

Multiply, and write your answer in simplified form: $2 \frac{4}{5} (- 1 \frac{7}{8}) .$

Solution

This table demonstrates the step-by-step process for multiplying mixed numbers, showing each operation and its corresponding mathematical expression.
	$2 \frac{4}{5} (- 1 \frac{7}{8})$
Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.	$\frac{14}{5} (- \frac{15}{8})$
Multiply.	$- \frac{14 \cdot 15}{5 \cdot 8}$
Look for common factors.	$- \frac{2̸ \cdot 7 \cdot 5̸ \cdot 3}{5̸ \cdot 2̸ \cdot 4}$
Remove common factors.	$- \frac{7 \cdot 3}{4}$
Simplify.	$- \frac{21}{4}$

Divide, and write your answer in simplified form: $3 \frac{4}{7} \div 5 .$

Solution

Step-by-step solution for dividing a mixed number by a whole number, illustrating the mathematical transformations.
	$3 \frac{4}{7} \div 5$
Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.	$\frac{25}{7} \div \frac{5}{1}$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$\frac{25}{7} \cdot \frac{1}{5}$
Multiply.	$\frac{25 \cdot 1}{7 \cdot 5}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{5̸ \cdot 5 \cdot 1}{7 \cdot 5̸}$
Remove common factors.	$\frac{5 \cdot 1}{7}$
Simplify.	$\frac{5}{7}$

Divide: $2 \frac{1}{2} \div 1 \frac{1}{4} .$

Solution

This table illustrates the step-by-step process for dividing mixed numbers, from conversion to simplification.
	$2 \frac{1}{2} \div 1 \frac{1}{4}$
Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions.	$\frac{5}{2} \div \frac{5}{4}$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$\frac{5}{2} \cdot \frac{4}{5}$
Multiply.	$\frac{5 \cdot 4}{2 \cdot 5}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{5̸ \cdot 2̸ \cdot 2}{2̸ \cdot 1 \cdot 5̸}$
Remove common factors.	$\frac{2}{1}$
Simplify.	$2$

Translate Phrases to Expressions with Fractions

The words quotient and ratio are often used to describe fractions. In Subtract Whole Numbers, we defined quotient as the result of division. The quotient of $a$ and $b$ is the result you get from dividing $a$ by $b,$ or $\frac{a}{b} .$ Let’s practice translating some phrases into algebraic expressions using these terms.

Translate the phrase into an algebraic expression: “the quotient of $3 x$ and $8 .”$

Solution

The keyword is quotient; it tells us that the operation is division. Look for the words of and and to find the numbers to divide.

The quotient of 3 x and 8 .

This tells us that we need to divide $3 x$ by $8 .$ $\frac{3 x}{8}$

Translate the phrase into an algebraic expression: the quotient of the difference of $m$ and $n,$ and $p .$

Solution

We are looking for the quotient of the difference of $m$ and $n$ , and $p .$ This means we want to divide the difference of $m$ and $n$ by $p .$

\frac{m - n}{p}

Simplify Complex Fractions

Our work with fractions so far has included proper fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers. Another kind of fraction is called complex fraction, which is a fraction in which the numerator or the denominator contains a fraction.

Some examples of complex fractions are:

\frac{\frac{6}{7}}{3} \frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{5}{8}} \frac{\frac{x}{2}}{\frac{5}{6}}

To simplify a complex fraction, remember that the fraction bar means division. So the complex fraction $\frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{5}{8}}$ can be written as $\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{5}{8} .$

Simplify: $\frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{5}{8}} .$

Solution

Illustration of the step-by-step process to divide fractions, exemplified by (3/4) / (5/8).
	$\frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{5}{8}}$
Rewrite as division.	$\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{5}{8}$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$\frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{8}{5}$
Multiply.	$\frac{3 \cdot 8}{4 \cdot 5}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{3 \cdot 4̸ \cdot 2}{4̸ \cdot 5}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$\frac{6}{5}$

Simplify: $\frac{- \frac{6}{7}}{3} .$

Solution

This table demonstrates the step-by-step process of dividing the fraction -6/7 by 3, simplifying to -2/7.
	$\frac{- \frac{6}{7}}{3}$
Rewrite as division.	$- \frac{6}{7} \div 3$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$- \frac{6}{7} \cdot \frac{1}{3}$
Multiply; the product will be negative.	$- \frac{6 \cdot 1}{7 \cdot 3}$
Look for common factors.	$- \frac{3̸ \cdot 2 \cdot 1}{7 \cdot 3̸}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$- \frac{2}{7}$

Simplify: $\frac{\frac{x}{2}}{\frac{x y}{6}} .$

Solution

Step-by-step simplification of a complex rational expression involving variables.
	$\frac{\frac{x}{2}}{\frac{x y}{6}}$
Rewrite as division.	$\frac{x}{2} \div \frac{x y}{6}$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$\frac{x}{2} \cdot \frac{6}{x y}$
Multiply.	$\frac{x \cdot 6}{2 \cdot x y}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{x̸ \cdot 3 \cdot 2̸}{2̸ \cdot x̸ \cdot y}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$\frac{3}{y}$

Simplify: $\frac{2 \frac{3}{4}}{\frac{1}{8}} .$

Solution

Step-by-step example demonstrating the division of a mixed number by a fraction, including conversion and simplification.
	$\frac{2 \frac{3}{4}}{\frac{1}{8}}$
Rewrite as division.	$2 \frac{3}{4} \div \frac{1}{8}$
Change the mixed number to an improper fraction.	$\frac{11}{4} \div \frac{1}{8}$
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second.	$\frac{11}{4} \cdot \frac{8}{1}$
Multiply.	$\frac{11 \cdot 8}{4 \cdot 1}$
Look for common factors.	$\frac{11 \cdot 4̸ \cdot 2}{4̸ \cdot 1}$
Remove common factors and simplify.	$22$

Simplify Expressions with a Fraction Bar

Where does the negative sign go in a fraction? Usually, the negative sign is placed in front of the fraction, but you will sometimes see a fraction with a negative numerator or denominator. Remember that fractions represent division. The fraction $- \frac{1}{3}$ could be the result of dividing $\frac{−1}{3},$ a negative by a positive, or of dividing $\frac{1}{−3},$ a positive by a negative. When the numerator and denominator have different signs, the quotient is negative.

Negative 1 over positive 3 is equal to negative one third. Negative over positive equals negative. Positive 1 over negative 3 is equal to negative one third. Positive over negative equals negative.

If both the numerator and denominator are negative, then the fraction itself is positive because we are dividing a negative by a negative.

\frac{−1}{−3} = \frac{1}{3} \frac{negative}{negative} = positive

Which of the following fractions are equivalent to $\frac{7}{−8} ?$

\frac{−7}{−8}, \frac{−7}{8}, \frac{7}{8}, - \frac{7}{8}

Solution

The quotient of a positive and a negative is a negative, so $\frac{7}{−8}$ is negative. Of the fractions listed, $\frac{−7}{8}$ and $- \frac{7}{8}$ are also negative.

Fraction bars act as grouping symbols. The expressions above and below the fraction bar should be treated as if they were in parentheses. For example, $\frac{4 + 8}{5 - 3}$ means $(4 + 8) \div (5 - 3) .$ The order of operations tells us to simplify the numerator and the denominator first—as if there were parentheses—before we divide.

We’ll add fraction bars to our set of grouping symbols from Use the Language of Algebra to have a more complete set here.

Simplify: $\frac{4 + 8}{5 - 3} .$

Solution

Illustrates the step-by-step simplification of a mathematical fraction.
	$\frac{4 + 8}{5 - 3}$
Simplify the expression in the numerator.	$\frac{12}{5 - 3}$
Simplify the expression in the denominator.	$\frac{12}{2}$
Simplify the fraction.	6

Simplify: $\frac{4 - 2 (3)}{2^{2} + 2} .$

Solution

Step-by-step simplification of a mathematical expression using the order of operations.
	$\frac{4 - 2 (3)}{2^{2} + 2}$
Use the order of operations. Multiply in the numerator and use the exponent in the denominator.	$\frac{4 - 6}{4 + 2}$
Simplify the numerator and the denominator.	$\frac{−2}{6}$
Simplify the fraction.	$- \frac{1}{3}$

Simplify: $\frac{{(8 - 4)}^{2}}{8^{2} - 4^{2}} .$

Solution

Step-by-step simplification of a mathematical fraction using the order of operations, demonstrating the transformation from the initial expression to its final reduced form.
	$\frac{{(8 - 4)}^{2}}{8^{2} - 4^{2}}$
Use the order of operations (parentheses first, then exponents).	$\frac{{(4)}^{2}}{64 - 16}$
Simplify the numerator and denominator.	$\frac{16}{48}$
Simplify the fraction.	$\frac{1}{3}$

Simplify: $\frac{4 (−3) + 6 (−2)}{−3 (2) −2} .$

Solution

This table shows the step-by-step simplification of a complex rational expression, detailing each operation from multiplication to final division.
	$\frac{4 (−3) + 6 (−2)}{−3 (2) −2}$
Multiply.	$\frac{−12 + (−12)}{−6 - 2}$
Simplify.	$\frac{−24}{−8}$
Divide.	$3$

Key Concepts

Multiply or divide mixed numbers.
1. Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.
2. Follow the rules for fraction multiplication or division.
3. Simplify if possible.
Simplify a complex fraction.
1. Rewrite the complex fraction as a division problem.
2. Follow the rules for dividing fractions.
3. Simplify if possible.
Placement of negative sign in a fraction.
- For any positive numbers $a$ and $b$ , $\frac{- a}{b} = \frac{a}{- b} = - \frac{a}{b}$ .
Simplify an expression with a fraction bar.
1. Simplify the numerator.
2. Simplify the denominator.
3. Simplify the fraction.

Practice Makes Perfect

Multiply and Divide Mixed Numbers

In the following exercises, multiply and write the answer in simplified form.

$4 \frac{3}{8} \cdot \frac{7}{10}$

$2 \frac{4}{9} \cdot \frac{6}{7}$

Solution

$\frac{44}{21}$

$\frac{15}{22} \cdot 3 \frac{3}{5}$

$\frac{25}{36} \cdot 6 \frac{3}{10}$

Solution

$\frac{35}{8}$

$4 \frac{2}{3} (−1 \frac{1}{8})$

$2 \frac{2}{5} (−2 \frac{2}{9})$

Solution

$- \frac{16}{3}$

$−4 \frac{4}{9} \cdot 5 \frac{13}{16}$

$−1 \frac{7}{20} \cdot 2 \frac{11}{12}$

Solution

$- \frac{63}{16}$

In the following exercises, divide, and write your answer in simplified form.

$5 \frac{1}{3} \div 4$

$13 \frac{1}{2} \div 9$

Solution

$\frac{3}{2}$

$−12 \div 3 \frac{3}{11}$

$−7 \div 5 \frac{1}{4}$

Solution

$- \frac{4}{3}$

$6 \frac{3}{8} \div 2 \frac{1}{8}$

$2 \frac{1}{5} \div 1 \frac{1}{10}$

Solution

$−9 \frac{3}{5} \div (−1 \frac{3}{5})$

$−18 \frac{3}{4} \div (−3 \frac{3}{4})$

Solution

Translate Phrases to Expressions with Fractions

In the following exercises, translate each English phrase into an algebraic expression.

the quotient of $5 u$ and $11$

the quotient of $7 v$ and $13$

Solution

$\frac{7 v}{13}$

the quotient of $p$ and $q$

the quotient of $a$ and $b$

Solution

$\frac{a}{b}$

the quotient of $r$ and the sum of $s$ and $10$

the quotient of $A$ and the difference of $3$ and $B$

Solution

$\frac{A}{3 - B}$

Simplify Complex Fractions

In the following exercises, simplify the complex fraction.

$\frac{\frac{2}{3}}{\frac{8}{9}}$

$\frac{\frac{4}{5}}{\frac{8}{15}}$

Solution

$\frac{3}{2}$

$\frac{- \frac{8}{21}}{\frac{12}{35}}$

$\frac{- \frac{9}{16}}{\frac{33}{40}}$

Solution

$- \frac{15}{22}$

$\frac{- \frac{4}{5}}{2}$

$\frac{- \frac{9}{10}}{3}$

Solution

$- \frac{3}{10}$

$\frac{\frac{2}{5}}{8}$

$\frac{\frac{5}{3}}{10}$

Solution

$\frac{1}{6}$

$\frac{\frac{m}{3}}{\frac{n}{2}}$

$\frac{\frac{r}{5}}{\frac{s}{3}}$

Solution

$\frac{3 r}{5 s}$

$\frac{- \frac{x}{6}}{- \frac{8}{9}}$

$\frac{- \frac{3}{8}}{- \frac{y}{12}}$

Solution

$\frac{9}{2 y}$

$\frac{2 \frac{4}{5}}{\frac{1}{10}}$

$\frac{4 \frac{2}{3}}{\frac{1}{6}}$

Solution

$\frac{\frac{7}{9}}{−2 \frac{4}{5}}$

$\frac{\frac{3}{8}}{−6 \frac{3}{4}}$

Solution

$- \frac{1}{18}$

Simplify Expressions with a Fraction Bar

In the following exercises, identify the equivalent fractions.

Which of the following fractions are equivalent to $\frac{5}{−11} ?$
$\frac{−5}{−11}, \frac{−5}{11}, \frac{5}{11}, - \frac{5}{11}$

Which of the following fractions are equivalent to $\frac{−4}{9} ?$
$\frac{−4}{−9}, \frac{−4}{9}, \frac{4}{9}, - \frac{4}{9}$

Solution

$\frac{−4}{9}, - \frac{4}{9}$

Which of the following fractions are equivalent to $- \frac{11}{3} ?$
$\frac{−11}{3}, \frac{11}{3}, \frac{−11}{−3}, \frac{11}{−3}$

Which of the following fractions are equivalent to $- \frac{13}{6} ?$
$\frac{13}{6}, \frac{13}{−6}, \frac{−13}{−6}, \frac{−13}{6}$

Solution

$\frac{13}{−6}, \frac{−13}{6}$

In the following exercises, simplify.

$\frac{4 + 11}{8}$

$\frac{9 + 3}{7}$

Solution

$\frac{12}{7}$

$\frac{22 + 3}{10}$

$\frac{19 - 4}{6}$

Solution

$\frac{5}{2}$

$\frac{48}{24 - 15}$

$\frac{46}{4 + 4}$

Solution

$\frac{23}{4}$

$\frac{−6 + 6}{8 + 4}$

$\frac{−6 + 3}{17 - 8}$

Solution

$- \frac{1}{3}$

$\frac{22 - 14}{19 - 13}$

$\frac{15 + 9}{18 + 12}$

Solution

$\frac{4}{5}$

$\frac{5 \cdot 8}{−10}$

$\frac{3 \cdot 4}{−24}$

Solution

$- \frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{4 \cdot 3}{6 \cdot 6}$

$\frac{6 \cdot 6}{9 \cdot 2}$

Solution

$\frac{4^{2} - 1}{25}$

$\frac{7^{2} + 1}{60}$

Solution

$\frac{5}{6}$

$\frac{8 \cdot 3 + 2 \cdot 9}{14 + 3}$

$\frac{9 \cdot 6 - 4 \cdot 7}{22 + 3}$

Solution

$\frac{26}{25}$

$\frac{15 \cdot 5 - 5^{2}}{2 \cdot 10}$

$\frac{12 \cdot 9 - 3^{2}}{3 \cdot 18}$

Solution

$\frac{11}{6}$

$\frac{5 \cdot 6 - 3 \cdot 4}{4 \cdot 5 - 2 \cdot 3}$

$\frac{8 \cdot 9 - 7 \cdot 6}{5 \cdot 6 - 9 \cdot 2}$

Solution

$\frac{5}{2}$

$\frac{5^{2} - 3^{2}}{3 - 5}$

$\frac{6^{2} - 4^{2}}{4 - 6}$

Solution

−10

$\frac{2 + 4 (3)}{−3 - 2^{2}}$

$\frac{7 + 3 (5)}{−2 - 3^{2}}$

Solution

−2

$\frac{7 \cdot 4 - 2 (8 - 5)}{9 \cdot 3 - 3 \cdot 5}$

$\frac{9 \cdot 7 - 3 (12 - 8)}{8 \cdot 7 - 6 \cdot 6}$

Solution

$\frac{51}{20}$

$\frac{9 (8 - 2) −3 (15 - 7)}{6 (7 - 1) −3 (17 - 9)}$

$\frac{8 (9 - 2) −4 (14 - 9)}{7 (8 - 3) −3 (16 - 9)}$

Solution

$\frac{18}{7}$

Everyday Math

Baking A recipe for chocolate chip cookies calls for $2 \frac{1}{4}$ cups of flour. Graciela wants to double the recipe.

ⓐ How much flour will Graciela need? Show your calculation. Write your result as an improper fraction and as a mixed number.
ⓑ Measuring cups usually come in sets with cups for $\frac{1}{8}, \frac{1}{4}, \frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{2},$ and $1$ cup. Draw a diagram to show two different ways that Graciela could measure out the flour needed to double the recipe.

Baking A booth at the county fair sells fudge by the pound. Their award winning “Chocolate Overdose” fudge contains $2 \frac{2}{3}$ cups of chocolate chips per pound.

ⓐ How many cups of chocolate chips are in a half-pound of the fudge?
ⓑ The owners of the booth make the fudge in $10$ -pound batches. How many chocolate chips do they need to make a $10$ -pound batch? Write your results as improper fractions and as a mixed numbers.

Solution

ⓐ $\frac{4}{3} = 1 \frac{1}{3}$ cups
ⓑ $\frac{80}{3} = 26 \frac{2}{3}$ cups

Writing Exercises

Explain how to find the reciprocal of a mixed number.

Explain how to multiply mixed numbers.

Solution

Answers will vary.

Randy thinks that $3 \frac{1}{2} \cdot 5 \frac{1}{4}$ is $15 \frac{1}{8} .$ Explain what is wrong with Randy’s thinking.

Explain why $- \frac{1}{2}, \frac{−1}{2},$ and $\frac{1}{−2}$ are equivalent.

Solution

Answers will vary.

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

A self-assessment chart for students to rate their understanding of fraction skills, including multiplying mixed numbers, translating phrases to expressions, and simplifying complex fractions.

ⓑ What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?

complex fraction

A complex fraction is a fraction in which the numerator or the denominator contains a fraction.