What does it mean to multiply 1/2 by 1/3, in terms of taking a fraction of a fraction?

Multiplying 1/2 by 1/3 means finding one-third of one-half.

Draw a diagram to represent 1/4 multiplied by 2/3. Shade the portion that represents the product.

Diagram should show a rectangle divided into thirds, with two parts shaded. Then, divide the rectangle into fourths horizontally. The overlapping area (2 parts out of 12) represents 2/12 or 1/6.

Calculate 3/4 × 2/5. Then, draw a diagram to represent this multiplication.

6/20 or 3/10. The diagram should show a rectangle divided into fifths, with three parts shaded. Then, divide the rectangle into fourths horizontally. The overlapping area (6 parts out of 20) represents 6/20.

Using a diagram, show what 2/5 of 1/2 looks like. What is the result?

Diagram should show a rectangle divided in half, with that half then divided into fifths, with two of those fifths shaded. The result is 2/10 or 1/5.

If you want to find 3/5 of 5/6 using a diagram, how would you divide your initial shape?

You would first divide the shape into six equal parts and shade five of those parts to represent 5/6. Then, you would divide the shape into five equal parts in the other direction.

Multiplying Fractions with Diagrams

Grade 5th Grade · Math · 45 min

What's Included

Learning Objective

I can model multiplication of fractions using diagrams.

Warm-Up Video

Khan Academy · 5:06

Multiplying two fractions: an explanation | Fractions | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy

Guided Notes

3 key concepts

1
When multiplying fractions, we multiply the numerators to get the new numerator, and multiply the denominators to get the new denominator.
2
2/3 × 4/5 = (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) = 8/15, which means taking four-fifths of two-thirds.
3
Multiplying fractions can be visualized by dividing a fraction into parts and then taking a fraction of that fraction.

Practice Questions

10 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

Quick comprehension check

“Draw a diagram to model and solve the following problem: What is 1/2 × 3/4?”

Complete Lesson Package

Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:

Teacher GuideComplete lesson plan

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Multiplying Fractions with Diagrams

What's Included

Learning Objective

Warm-Up Video

Guided Notes

Practice Questions

Exit Ticket

Complete Lesson Package

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