Math Worksheets

Multiplying Fractions Worksheets

Printable multiplying fractions worksheets and lesson plan for grades 5 through 8. Multiply numerators and denominators across, reduce to lowest terms, and apply the skill in story problems with answer keys.

What This Lesson Teaches

Students learn that multiplying fractions is mechanically simpler than addition: there is no common denominator step, just multiply numerators across, multiply denominators across, then reduce.

• Step 1 – multiply the two numerators
• Step 2 – multiply the two denominators
• Step 3 – check that the result is in lowest terms; reduce if not

The lesson then introduces the trick of placing whole numbers over 1 (so 5 becomes 5/1) so students can multiply a whole number by a fraction using the same procedure.

What Students Practice

• Straight multiplication of two proper fractions
• Multiplying a whole number by a fraction using the over-1 trick
• Reducing the product to lowest terms in every answer
• Story problem – finding fractional parts of a farm-animal population, which forces students to read the problem carefully and apply the procedure

How Teachers Use This Worksheet

Use this lesson after addition and subtraction of fractions, and before mixed-number multiplication. Multiplication is the easier procedure, but students often stumble on the conceptual question “why does the answer get smaller when you multiply by a fraction?” – this is the lesson where that question first comes up.

• Spend two minutes on the conceptual question before starting the procedure – half of half is a quarter
• Walk students through one or two examples that include reducing in a non-obvious way (24/56 – the GCF is not visible at a glance)
• Use the story problem as a partner activity rather than independent work the first time you teach the lesson
• Pair with the Multiplying Mixed Numbers worksheet once students are confident

Common Student Mistakes to Watch For

• Looking for a common denominator – students carry the addition habit over. Anchor on “multiplication does not need a common denominator”
• Cross-multiplying – students apply the wrong procedure (used for solving proportions) here
• Not reducing – 6/24 instead of 1/4
• Forgetting to put a whole number over 1 when multiplying a whole number by a fraction

Download the Worksheet

Full Members can download the printable PDF worksheet and answer key.

Related Resources

• Fractions worksheets hub
• Adding Fractions (free sample)
• Multiplying Mixed Numbers – the next step
• Understanding Fractions
• Math worksheets hub

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