Steply

Calculate 2/3 × 9/10

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Fractions · Foundations

Step by step

The question

Question: work out 2/3 × 9/10.

23 × 910

1 Cancel first

Before we multiply, we make the numbers smaller.

2 on top and 10 at the bottom both divide by 2.

9 on top and 3 at the bottom both divide by 3.

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

2 and 10: ÷ 2 → 1 and 5
9 and 3: ÷ 3 → 3 and 1

So we multiply smaller numbers.

= 11 × 35

2 Multiply tops and bottoms

To multiply fractions, we do top times top, and bottom times bottom.

= 1 × 31 × 5

1 times 3 is 3.

1 times 5 is 5.

= 35

Can we make it simpler?

No number goes into both 3 and 5, except 1.

So it stays like this.

simplest ✓

So the answer is 3/5.

Let's look back.

First: cancel first.

Last: multiply tops and bottoms.

Answer
= 35

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

34 × 56
Show the answer
58

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