Canceling Before Multiplying Fractions Worksheets
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8Mastery Drill 6
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Canceling Before Multiplying Fractions
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In the following problem, we multiply, then rewrite the answer in simplest form.
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2
×
=
=
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We can save work when multiplying fractions if we cancel first. Canceling is a way to
simplify fractions before we multiply. Find one numerator and one denominator that are
divisible by the same number. You must always cancel diagonally, never horizontally. See
how this is done.
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In this problem, 4 and 6 are both divisible
×
= ?
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by two. Cancel out 4 and 6.
4 ÷ 2 = 2
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Divide 4 by 2 and divide 6 by 2. Write the
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quotients in place of the canceled numbers.
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6 ÷ 2 = 3
Now multiply as usual, using the new numerators
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and denominators. The answer is already in
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simplest form. It can’t be simplified any further.
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Sometimes a diagonal numerator and denominator are the same number. This is the
easiest kind of cancellation, because they both cancel to 1.
5 ÷ 5 = 1
5 and 5 are both divisible by themselves.
Cancel both 5’s to 1 and multiply as usual.
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×
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Again, there is no need to simplify the answer.
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It has already been changed to simplest form.
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5 ÷ 5 = 1
Sometimes we can cancel both diagonal numerators and denominators.
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10 and 2 are both divisible by 2.
×
=
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3 and 3 both cancel to 1. The
answer is in simplest form.
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