1. What is Fraction Multiplication?

Fraction multiplication involves multiplying the numerators together and the denominators together. The result is a new fraction that represents the product of the two original fractions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fraction multiplication formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — Numerator of first fraction
• \( b \) — Denominator of first fraction
• \( c \) — Numerator of second fraction
• \( d \) — Denominator of second fraction

Explanation: The calculator multiplies the numerators (a × c) to get the new numerator, and the denominators (b × d) to get the new denominator. It then simplifies the resulting fraction by finding the greatest common divisor.

3. Importance of Fraction Multiplication

Details: Fraction multiplication is fundamental in mathematics, used in scaling recipes, calculating probabilities, solving algebraic equations, and many real-world applications involving ratios and proportions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all four integers (a, b, c, d). Denominators (b and d) must not be zero. The calculator will show both the raw product and simplified form of the resulting fraction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I multiply more than two fractions?
A: Yes, the same principle applies - multiply all numerators together and all denominators together, then simplify.

Q2: What if one denominator is zero?
A: Division by zero is undefined. The calculator requires non-zero denominators.

Q3: How does the simplification work?
A: The calculator finds the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator and divides both by it.

Q4: Can I use negative numbers?
A: Yes, negative values are acceptable. The negative sign will be applied to the numerator in the simplified form.

Q5: What about mixed numbers?
A: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions first (e.g., 2½ becomes 5/2).