How do you multiply and simplify #\frac { 7} { 12} \cdot \frac { 8} { 14} #?

1 Answer
Jun 17, 2017

#1/3#

Explanation:

First, rewrite the numbers in it's smallest factors:

#7/(2xx2xx3) xx (2xx2xx2)/(7xx2)#

Merge the fractions together:

#(7xx2xx2xx2)/(2xx2xx3xx7xx2)#

Now eliminate any common factors from the top and bottom:

#(cancel(7)xxcancel(2)xxcancel(2)xxcancel(2))/(cancel(2)xxcancel(2)xx3xxcancel(7)xxcancel(2))#

We're left with:

#1/3#