SOLUTION: Simplify the expression 2 1/3 x 4 1/2

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Question 1143773: Simplify the expression
2 1/3 x 4 1/2
Found 3 solutions by Alan3354, josgarithmetic, greenestamps:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Simplify the expression
2 1/3 x 4 1/2
---------------
What expression?
Do you want to multiply the 2 numbers?
----------
Use * for multiply, not x.
* = Shift 8
=======================
Mixed numbers are not useful.
Convert them to fractions, proper or improper.

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2 1/3 x 4 1/2
%282%261%2F3%29%284%261%2F2%29
-
%287%2F3%29%289%2F2%29

%287%2A9%29%2F%283%2A2%29

63%2F6

10%261%2F2

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Simplify on the way:
%287%2F3%29%289%2F2%29

%287%2A9%29%2F%283%2A2%29

%287%2A3%2A3%29%2F%283%2A2%29

%287%2Across%283%29%2A3%29%2F%28cross%283%29%2A2%29

21%2F2

10%261%2F2

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Although in elementary school you are taught to multiply mixed numbers by changing them to improper fractions, it is not necessary to do so. Sometimes the numbers are "nice" enough that you can get the answer faster.

This is a good example. Think of "2 1/3 times 4 1/2" as "2 times 4 1/2 plus 1/3 times 4 1/2". If your mental arithmetic is good, this is a fairly easy computation.

2*(4 1/2) = 9
(1/3)*(4 1/2) = 1 1/2
9 + 1 1/2 = 10 1/2