Problem 44 - Introductory Algebra for College Students

Question

Perform the indicated operation. Where possible, reduce the answer to its lowest terms. $$\frac{5}{8} \cdot \frac{3}{11}$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

\\frac{15}{88}

Step 1: Perform the multiplication

Multiply the numerators (the top numbers) of the fractions together to get the numerator of the product. Multiply the denominators (the bottom numbers) together to get the denominator of the product. \\[ \\frac{5}{8} \cdot \\frac{3}{11} = \\frac{(5*3)}{(8*11)} \\]

Step 2: Simplify the product

Multiply out the numbers you found in Step 1 to get the product, and then simplify the product to its lowest terms. \\[ \\frac{15}{88} \\] In this case, the fraction is already in its lowest terms because 15 and 88 have no common factors other than 1.