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# Why is the product of two proper fractions less than either of the fractions?

Wiki User

2017-10-02 22:24:26

Best Answer

A proper fraction is less than 1. Whenever you multiply something by a number < 1, the result (product) is less than the original number. So when you multiply a proper fraction by a number less one (such as another proper fraction, the product is less than the original proper fraction.

The only time a product involving a given number is larger than the given number is when you multiply the given number by a number that is > 1. Since all proper fractions are < 1, products involving them are always less than the original given number.

Wiki User

2017-10-02 22:24:26
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Wiki User

2017-09-29 10:32:13

That is not true because proper fractions need not be positive. -1/2 and -2/3 are proper fractions.

Their product is 1/3, which is greater than either of the fractions.

Anonymous

Lvl 1
2020-09-01 21:25:20

The product of two POSITIVE fractions less than one is less than either factor. Try thinking of multiplication as ‘of’ when performing multiplication of fractions less than one. E.g. 1/4 x 1/4 = is asking what is one quarter of one quarter, which is one sixteenth 1/4 x 1/4 = 1/16 (multiply 1 x 1 to get the numerator and 4 x 4 to get the denominator (1/16)

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