Multiplying Whole Numbers by Fractions

Five groups of two

5 evenly split into 2 groups

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

 $3\times\frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\ or\ 1\frac{1}{2}$  

Three  $\frac{1}{2}$  inch sections is  $\frac{3}{2}\$  inches

 $\frac{3}{2}$  inches is 3 times as long as  $\frac{1}{2}$  inch 

 $\frac{3}{2}\$  inches is a third of  $\frac{1}{2}\$  inch

The product is 1 $\frac{1}{2}$  , because it is half of 3

Multiplying 3 x $\frac{1}{2}$  is equivalent to dividing 3 by 2

 $\frac{1}{2}\times3\$  is not equivalent to  $3\times\frac{1}{2}$