Calculate 2 1/2 × 4

Step by step

The question

Question: work out 2 and 1/2 × 4.

1 Make one fraction

2 and 1/2 is a mixed number.

Each whole one is 2/2.

So we do 2 times 2, plus 1.

The bottom stays 2.

2 times 2 plus 1 is 5.

So it is 5/2.

2 Cancel first

Before we multiply, we make the numbers smaller.

4 on top and 2 at the bottom both divide by 2.

A top and a bottom divided by the same number: the answer stays the same.

So we multiply smaller numbers.

5 times 2 is 10.

So the answer is 10.

Let's look back.

First: make one fraction.

Last: cancel first.