<PRE><B>Question 282818</B>
What was he explanation?
12*4 1/2*2 2/3=
convert mixed numbers to improper fractions
4 1/2=9/2
2 2/3=8/3
substitute improper fractions 
12*9/2*8/3
{{{12*9/2*8/3}}}
look for cancellations of numerator and denominator to remove denominator
12/2=6
9/3=3
denominator is now 1 and effectively is gone and the numerator becomes
6*3*8=6*24=144


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