1. The problem is to understand how to multiply fractions and decimals, as shown in the example $\frac{3}{8} = 3 \times \frac{1}{8} = 3 \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4} = 3 \times 0.5 \times 0.25 = 0.375$. 2. The formula for multiplying fractions is: $$\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \times c}{b \times d}$$ where $a,b,c,d$ are integers and $b,d \neq 0$. 3. Important rules: - Multiply numerators together. - Multiply denominators together. - Simplify the fraction if possible. - You can convert fractions to decimals to multiply more easily. 4. Example: Multiply $\frac{2}{3}$ by $\frac{3}{4}$. 5. Using the formula: $$\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2 \times 3}{3 \times 4} = \frac{6}{12}$$ 6. Simplify $\frac{6}{12}$ by dividing numerator and denominator by 6: $$\frac{6 \div 6}{12 \div 6} = \frac{1}{2}$$ 7. Alternatively, convert to decimals: $$\frac{2}{3} \approx 0.6667, \quad \frac{3}{4} = 0.75$$ 8. Multiply decimals: $$0.6667 \times 0.75 = 0.5$$ 9. Both methods give the same result: $\frac{1}{2}$ or 0.5. This shows how to multiply fractions step-by-step and verify by decimals.