Ready-to-teach

Clear steps, examples, and practice in one printable page.

Misconception-proof

Highlights common mistakes and how to fix them quickly.

Open license

CC0: free to copy, adapt, and share without attribution.

Quick overview

This free fraction multiplication worksheet for grades 4-5 teaches the 'multiply across' method with area models and simplification practice.

Lesson plan snapshot

15-20 min

Warm-up (3 min): review what fractions represent using fraction bars.
Model (5 min): solve the worked example together using an area model.
Guided practice (5 min): complete problems 1-3 as a group.
Independent practice (7 min): finish the remaining problems.

Materials: fraction bars, grid paper, pencil

Learning targets

Multiply fractions by multiplying numerators and denominators.
Understand multiplication as finding 'a fraction of a fraction.'
Simplify products and recognize when to cancel before multiplying.

Step-by-step approach

1Write the fractions side by side.
2Multiply the numerators (top numbers) together.
3Multiply the denominators (bottom numbers) together.
4Simplify the result if possible.

Common mistakes

Mistake

Finding a common denominator (like addition).

Try instead

Multiplication is different - just multiply straight across.

Mistake

Cross-multiplying instead of multiplying straight across.

Try instead

Cross-multiply is for equations. Here, numerator times numerator, denominator times denominator.

Mistake

Forgetting to simplify the answer.

Try instead

Always check if the numerator and denominator share a common factor.

Worked example

Guided

Solve:

\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = ?

Multiply numerators: 2 × 3 = 6.
Multiply denominators: 3 × 4 = 12.
Write the product: 6/12.
Simplify: 6/12 = 1/2.

Answer: 1/2

Related resources

Fractions

Adding and comparing fractions with unlike denominators.

View resource

Fraction equivalence

Find equivalent fractions and simplify.

View resource

Fraction division

Divide fractions using keep-change-flip.

View resource

Practice problems

14 problems • 21 min

Printable worksheet

1
Find the area of a rectangle that is $\frac{3}{4}$ unit by $\frac{3}{4}$ unit.
2
You have $\frac{3}{4}$ of a garden. You use $\frac{2}{3}$ of that. What fraction of the whole garden did you use?
3
Solve: 6 $\times \frac{3}{4}$
4
Solve: $\frac{1}{4} \times \frac{1}{2}$
5
Solve: $\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{1}{4}$
6
Find the area of a rectangle that is $\frac{2}{3}$ unit by $\frac{3}{4}$ unit.
7
Solve and simplify: $\frac{2}{8} \times \frac{3}{4}$
8
Solve: $\frac{1}{5} \times \frac{1}{2}$
9
You have $\frac{1}{2}$ of a pizza. You use $\frac{1}{4}$ of that. What fraction of the whole pizza did you use?
10
You have $\frac{1}{3}$ of a cake. You use $\frac{3}{4}$ of that. What fraction of the whole cake did you use?
11
Solve and simplify: $\frac{3}{6} \times \frac{1}{6}$
12
Solve: 5 $\times \frac{1}{3}$
13
You have $\frac{2}{3}$ of a ribbon. You use $\frac{1}{2}$ of that. What fraction of the whole ribbon did you use?
14
Solve: $\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{5}$

Answer key

14 answers

11) 9/16 square unit
22) 1/2
33) 9/2
44) 1/8
55) 1/6
66) 1/2 square unit
77) 3/16
88) 1/10
99) 1/8
1010) 1/4
1111) 1/12
1212) 5/3
1313) 1/3
1414) 1/10

Teacher tips

TUse area models to show why we multiply across - shading 2/3 of 3/4 of a rectangle.
TEmphasize that multiplying proper fractions gives a smaller result.
TTeach cross-cancellation as a shortcut once students understand the concept.

Parent tips

PUse cooking examples: 'We need 2/3 of half a cup.'
PDraw rectangles and shade to visualize the product.
PPractice with unit fractions first (1/2 × 1/3) before harder problems.

Open license

You are free to copy, adapt, and share these materials. No attribution required. Released under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (public domain).