what is the answer to -1/2(3/8)?

Question

how do you find the product and simplify

 

Answer 1

Finding the product of fractions is simply multiplying.

(-1/2)(3/8) means (-1/2) * (3/8)

 

When you multiply fractions, you multiply the top numbers together, and then you multiply the bottom numbers together, and the results stay in the same "spot" of the fraction.  Numerator * numerator = numerator, denominator * denominator = denominator.

 

-1 * 3 = -3

2 * 8 = 16

 

The answer is -3/16.  This fraction is in its simplest form.