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Multiplying and dividing mixed numbers

Use bars to see how multiplying and dividing mixed numbers works, and which operation comes first in a calculation.

📖 Start here: read the steps of the “Lesson” in order (1, 2, 3 …) and answer each question. Then continue with “Practice”.

Guide

Each bar is one whole. 223 is 2 whole bars and 23 of another.

To multiply or divide mixed numbers, you can turn each one into an improper fraction: 212 = 52.

Careful: you can't just multiply the wholes together and the fractions together. All of the first number has to be multiplied by all of the second.

In a calculation with both addition and multiplication, multiply and divide first, then add and subtract.