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Course: 3rd grade > Unit 5
Lesson 5: Fractions and whole numbersUnderstand fractions: FAQ
Frequently asked questions about understanding fractions.
What is a fraction?
A fraction is a way of representing a part of a whole. The top number is called the numerator, and the bottom number is called the denominator.
The is the number of equal parts being counted.
The is the number of equal parts in one whole.
What does it mean when the numerator is bigger than the denominator?
It means that the fraction is bigger than .
For example, is greater than because the number of pieces we are counting, is greater than the number of pieces in the whole, .
How do we show fractions on a number line?
We can divide the number line into different parts to show where a fraction falls. For example, if we divide the number line into four equal parts, we can show halfway between and .
How can we relate fractions to ?
A fraction is greater than when the numerator is greater than the denominator.
A fraction is equal to when the numerator is equal to the denominator.
A fraction is less than when the numerator is less than the denominator.
Why do we need to learn about fractions?
Fractions are used in many different ways in the real world. For example, recipes often call for fractions of ingredients, like a cup of sugar. We also use fractions in measurements, like of an inch.
Want to join the conversation?
- why do you use fractions in life?(38 votes)
- Because we need to use it in real life all the time!
-- Cents are fractions of a dollar
-- Minutes are fractions of an hour
-- You can relate inches and feets in order to make 12 in = 1 ft or 1 in = 1/12 ft
There are countless exemples of fractions in real life.(24 votes)
- How can you tell if a fraction is less,greater,or = to a half or a whole too.(9 votes)
- If a fraction is a whole then it means that the numerator (the top number) is equal to the denominator (the bottom number).
If the numerator is more than the denominator, it is greater than a whole, and if the numerator is less, it is less than a whole.
The same goes for a half -- for example, 7/14. 7*2 is 14. If the numerator *2 is equal to the denominator, it is exactly half. If the numerator *2 is less than the denominator, it is less than half. And finally, if the numerator *2 is more than the denominator, it is greater than half.(28 votes)
- How big can a fraction get? Is there such thing as 100 equal parts?(14 votes)
- Let's see some exemples to make this clear:
One dollar can be divided in 100 equal parts. In that way, 1 cent is equal to 1/100 of a dollar.
We can do "bigger" than that. For instance, we can divide a meter in 1000 equal parts, and then we will have a millimeter, or 1/1000 of a meter.
A nanosecond is crazy! This is a unit of time equal to one billionth of a second, or 1/1,000,000,000! Some scientists wake up one day and said: "Hey, let's take a second and divide it into one billion equal parts and than call one of that parts a nanosecond just for fun!".
So, we can make a fraction as "big" as we need to. There is no limit to do that.(8 votes)
- Did you know that math is everywhere? I was surprised when I heard that! Even though it is surprising, I LOVE IT!(6 votes)
- when were fractoins created(3 votes)
- About in 1913 October 23rd(5 votes)
- But how do we use fraction(5 votes)
- What do you need fractions for(3 votes)
- Fractions are used in many different ways in the real world. For example, recipes often call for fractions of ingredients, like a cup of sugar.(4 votes)
- how does 9/3 equal 1?(1 vote)
- NO it DOESN'T because it is OVER 1 WHOLE(4 votes)
- I wonder what other stuff in the world your're going to need to have to use fractions for?(3 votes)
- One example is when you are cooking or baking.(3 votes)
- how do I round 90280 to the nearest 10000?(3 votes)