Question

How do you multiply `-\frac { 2} { 5} ( - \frac { 1} { 2} ) ( - \frac { 5} { 6})`?

Answer 1

`-1/6`

Explanation:

To multiply fractions, the method is:

• Change any mixed numbers to improper fractions

• Cancel any numerator with any denominator (through X )

• Multiply `"top x top"/"bottom x bottom"` (check the signs)

• Simplify if necessary

`(-2)/5 xx (-1)/2 xx (-5)/6" "larr` sign will be negative

=`-cancel2/cancel5 xx 1/cancel2 xx cancel5/6`

=`-1/6`

Note: If you multiply without cancelling first, the numbers will be very big, often leading to difficult simplification.

`-10/60` in this case is manageable