Multiplying Fractions

Dear Doctor Data,

I am a fifth grader and I would like to know how to multiply fractions. I am confused about denominators. Do I have to make them the same when I multiply fractions?


Dear Fifth Grader,

You don't need a common denominator when you multiply fractions only when you add or subtract. Watch this video to learn how to multiply fractions.

Improper Fractions

Dr. Data, my teacher keeps talking about changing an improper fraction to a mixed number. I'm confused. Can you please show me how to change an improper fraction into a mixed number?


Dr. Data is always on call, and I've got the perfect team members to help you. Here are two of them to show you how to solve your problem.

Happy Calculating from your friend,
Dr. Data

Multiplying Decimals

Dear Dr. Data,

We had a problem like this in our math books: A chocolate chip cookies is .25 cents. Bob wants to buy 7 of them. What is the total amount of money he will pay for the cookies. We don't know how to multiple decimals. Can you help us?


Sure here is a short video that shows you how to multiple decimals. We will use your problem as an example.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Data

Communitive Properity

Please explain the Communitive Property for addition and multiplication and give me an example.

Thanks,
Rylie

Dear Dr. Data

Greeting to you! We are the students in Mr. Styes' class. We have some math questions for you that we need your help with. Here they are:

Why do the numbers on each side of an equation have to balance? Ex: 5+5+5=7+8

Why can a t-table (aka input-output table) be standing up or lying on its side? And we're wondering if there is ever a limit to how many numbers you can put on a t-table. In other words, will there ever be a time when you run out of numbers to put on it?

We know we are really bright mathematicians because we do Algebra in 4th grade. Will we get to do it in 6th grade too?

Thanks for your help, Dr. Data. We'll be looking forward to your response.

Until next time!
Mr. Styes' 4th grader class.