What Are Fractions?
A fraction is a way to show part of a whole or part of a group. It tells us how many equal parts we have out of the total number of equal parts.
A fraction has two main parts:
numerator
denominator
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Numerator → the top number (how many parts you have)
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Denominator → the bottom number (how many equal parts the whole is divided into)
Example
3/4
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Numerator = 3 → you have 3 parts
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Denominator = 4 → the whole is divided into 4 equal parts
So, 3/4 means 3 out of 4 equal parts.
Types of Fractions
1. Proper Fractions
The numerator is less than the denominator.
Example:
2/5
2. Improper Fractions
The numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.
Example:
7/4
3. Mixed Numbers
A whole number combined with a fraction.
Example:
1 3/4
(Which is the same as 7/4)
4. Equivalent Fractions
Fractions that have different numbers but the same value.
Example:
1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6
5. Simplifying Fractions
Divide the numerator and denominator by the same number.
Example:
6/8 = 3/4
Operations with Fractions (Basic Overview)
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Adding/Subtracting: Denominators must be the same
1/4 + 2/4 = 3/4
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Multiplying: Multiply straight across
2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2
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Dividing: Multiply by the reciprocal
1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2
Why Are Fractions Important?
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Sharing food or objects equally
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Cooking and baking
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Measuring length, weight, and volume
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Understanding decimals and percentages