1. What is Fraction Multiplication?

Fraction multiplication is a mathematical operation that combines two fractions to produce a new fraction. The numerator of the product is the product of the numerators, and the denominator of the product is the product of the denominators.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fraction multiplication formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — First numerator
• \( b \) — First denominator (cannot be zero)
• \( c \) — Second numerator
• \( d \) — Second denominator (cannot be zero)

Explanation: The calculator multiplies the numerators together and denominators together, then simplifies the resulting fraction by dividing both numerator and denominator by their 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 values (two numerators and two denominators). Denominators cannot be zero. The calculator will show both the raw product and simplified form (if different).

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.

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

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

Q4: Can I enter negative fractions?
A: Yes, negative values are valid. The calculator will handle the sign correctly in the result.

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