This cannot be done like the others, but it may be done by multiplying the denominator as in Arith. Art. XVII. For the fraction denotes, that one is divided into as many equal parts as there are units in b, and that as many of these parts are used as there are units in a ; or that a is divided into as many equal parts as there are units in b; hence if it be divided into twice as many parts, the parts will be only one half as large, and the fraction will have only one half the value. Ilc.cc, to divide a fraction by a whole number. divide the numerator; or when that cannot be done, multiply the denominator vy the divisor. Hence, to multiply one fraction by another, multiply the numerators together for a new numerator, and the denominators together Arith. Art. XVII. for a new denominator. 2ab 23. Multiply by Ans. 3 c 2 m 6 cm We have seen that a fraction may be divided by multiplying its denominator, because the parts are made smaller; on the contrary, a fraction may be multiplied by dividing its denominator, because the parts are made larger. Arith. Art. XVIII. If the denominator be divided by 2, the unit is divided into only one half as many parts; consequently the parts must be twice as large as before. If the denominator be divided by 5, the unit is divided into only one fifth as many parts; hence the parts must be five times as large as before, and if the same number of parts be used as at first, the value of the fraction will be five times as great, and so on. a C If we divide the denominator by b, the fraction becomes in which a is divided into part as many parts; hence b the parts, and consequently the fraction is b times as large as before. |