Multiply and simplify, if possible

Explanation

Write \(-4\frac19\) as an improper fraction and write 3 as a fraction

$-4\frac19 \cdot 3 = -\frac{37}{9} \cdot \frac31$

Multiply the numerators and multiply the denominators.  Since the fractions have unlike signs, make the answer negative.

$= - \frac{37 \cdot 3}{9 \cdot 1}$

To simplify, factor 9 as 3 • 3, and then remove the common factor of 3 from the numerator and denominator.

$\require{cancel} = -\frac{37 \cdot \cancel{3}^1}{\cancel{3}_1 \cdot 3 \cdot 1}$

Multiply the remaining factors in the numerator and in the denominator.  The result is an improper fraction.

$=-\frac{37}{3}$

Write the negative improper fraction \(-\frac{37}{3}\) as a negative mixed number

$= -12\frac13$