Mathematics ACT Aspire Practice Test 2026 – Complete Study Resource

When multiplying mixed numbers, the first step is to convert them to improper fractions. This is essential because improper fractions are easier to work with in multiplication.

A mixed number consists of a whole number and a fraction, and by converting it to an improper fraction, you combine the whole number and the fraction into a single fraction where the numerator is greater than the denominator. This simplifies the process of multiplication since you can directly multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.

Leaving the mixed numbers as they are complicates the multiplication process, making it more difficult to accurately calculate the product. Converting to decimals can lead to loss of precision and unnecessary complexity in computation, while adding the whole numbers does not provide a method for multiplying the mixed numbers. Therefore, converting them to improper fractions ensures that the multiplication is straightforward and manageable.