Question

What is the product of 2 1/2 and 1 1/4

Answer 1

First, we transform the mixed fractions into improper fractions:

$\begin{gathered} 2\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2\cdot2+1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}, \\ 1\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1\cdot4+1}{4}=\frac{5}{4}. \end{gathered}$

Then, we multiply the improper fractions:

$\frac{5}{2}\cdot\frac{5}{4}=\frac{5\cdot5}{2\cdot4}=\frac{25}{8}\text{.}$

Finally, we transform the improper fraction into a mixed fraction:

$\frac{25}{8}=\frac{24+1}{8}=\frac{3\cdot8+1}{8}=3\frac{1}{8}\text{.}$

Answer:

$3\frac{1}{8}\text{.}$