Multiply Mixed Numbers by Whole Numbers Using Distributive Property

Multiply Mixed Numbers by Whole Numbers Using Distributive Property

Distributive Property

So in this problem, Catherine is baking cake that uses 2 1/3 pounds of flour. How many pounds of flour does she need to make 4 cakes?

So in this problem, we know the pounds of flour used for a cake. So we know that one cake uses 2 1/3 pounds of flour. Now, we’re looking for how much flour it would take for four cakes. So what we’re looking for is the pounds of flour for four cakes.

So the pounds of flour for four cakes will then equal 4 times, the amount of flour for one cake. So we’re looking for four cakes, so it’ll be 4 times how much flour it takes for one cake, which should be 2 1/3 pounds. Alright, so now we have our multiplication problem and we’re going to go ahead and solve this problem.

So our first step, step one in solving this problem is we’re going to use the Distributive Property to rename our mixed number. Because here, we have a mixed number so we’re going to use the Distributive Property this time to rename it. So, let me give myself some more room. So we have 4 x 2 1/3. So if I use the Distributive Property, I can take (4 x 2) + (4 x 1/3).

Now, my next step. What I’m going to do is I need to multiply the addend, each addend okay? So I’m going to go ahead and take my 4 x 2, just going to rewrite this, and 4 x 1/3. So 4 x 2 we know is 8, plus – so I’m going to go ahead and just – this over, so 4 x 1/3 is – so 4, if I move that to fraction would be 4/1 x 1/3. And then we just multiply across, so it’d be 4 –and then 4 x 1 is 4 and 1 x 3 is 3. So then 4 x 1/3, it would be 4/3.

Now, I go ahead and simplify, then I add. So my last step would be to simplify and add. So I have 8 + 4/3. So now, I’m going to simplify 4/3, so I’m going to move this 8 +, and then 4/3, would be 1 1/3. And so that would mean that 8 +1 would be 9 1/3.

So how many pounds of flour does she need to make four cakes? Catherine needs 9 1/3 pounds of flour to make four cakes.

Tips to remember, that your first step to multiply mixed numbers and whole numbers, just like the problem that we used in this problem. The first step is to use the Distributive Property to rename your mixed number. So just like we took 4 x 2 1/3, we used the Distributive Property. So 4 x 2 and then 4 x 1/3. The next step then is to multiply each addend, so we took 4 x 2 and then 4 x 1/3. The last step then is simplify and add. So we simplified 4/3 into 1 1/3 and then we added 8 + 1 is 9 and 1/3.


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