Fraction (Intro / Terms)

What is fraction?

A fraction represents a part of a whole or a division of something into equal parts. It consists of two numbers:

• Numerator (top number): Indicates how many parts you have.
• Denominator (bottom number): Indicates how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

For example:

• In the fraction ¾:
  • The numerator is 3 (you have 3 parts).
  • The denominator is 4 (the whole is divided into 4 equal parts).

A fraction can represent a variety of values, like:

• Proper fractions (numerator is less than the denominator, e.g., 3/4)
• Improper fractions (numerator is equal to or greater than the denominator, e.g., 5/4)
• Mixed numbers (a whole number combined with a fraction, e.g., 1 ¾)

Fractions help us express parts of a whole, making them useful in many real-life situations like cooking, measurements, and sharing resources!

Fraction Terms

1. Numerator: The top number of a fraction that tells how many parts you have.
   • Example: In ¾, 3 is the numerator.
2. Denominator: The bottom number of a fraction that tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
   • Example: In ¾, 4 is the denominator.
3. Fraction: A part of a whole, represented as a numerator over a denominator. It shows how many parts you have out of a total number of equal parts.
   • Example: ½, ¾, 5/6 are fractions.
4. Proper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is smaller than the denominator (less than 1).
   • Example: ¾, ⅓, ½.
5. Improper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator (equal to or greater than 1).
   • Example: 5/4, 9/8, 7/7.
6. Mixed Number: A whole number combined with a proper fraction.
   • Example: 1 ¾ (one and three-fourths).
7. Simplest Form (or Lowest Terms): A fraction is in its simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.
   • Example: 4/8 simplifies to 1/2.
8. Equivalent Fractions: Different fractions that represent the same value or part of a whole.
   • Example: ½, 2/4, and 4/8 are all equivalent fractions.
9. Reciprocal: The inverse of a fraction. To find the reciprocal, swap the numerator and denominator.
   • Example: The reciprocal of ¾ is 4/3.
10. Like Fractions: Fractions with the same denominator.
    • Example: 2/5, 3/5, 4/5 are like fractions.
11. Unlike Fractions: Fractions with different denominators.
    • Example: 1/3 and 1/4 are unlike fractions.