Understand fractions: FAQ

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 $\maroonE{\text{numerator}}$start color #9e034e, start text, n, u, m, e, r, a, t, o, r, end text, end color #9e034e is the number of equal parts being counted.

The $\blueE{\text{denominator}}$start color #0c7f99, start text, d, e, n, o, m, i, n, a, t, o, r, end text, end color #0c7f99 is the number of equal parts in one whole.

It means that the fraction is bigger than $1$1.

For example, $\dfrac\maroonE4\blueE3$start fraction, start color #9e034e, 4, end color #9e034e, divided by, start color #0c7f99, 3, end color #0c7f99, end fraction is greater than $1$1 because the number of pieces we are counting, $\maroonE4$start color #9e034e, 4, end color #9e034e is greater than the number of pieces in the whole, $\blueE3$start color #0c7f99, 3, end color #0c7f99.

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 $\dfrac{1}{4}$start fraction, 1, divided by, 4, end fraction halfway between $0$0 and $\dfrac{1}{2}$start fraction, 1, divided by, 2, end fraction.

A fraction is greater than $1$1 when the numerator is greater than the denominator.

A fraction is equal to $1$1 when the numerator is equal to the denominator.

A fraction is less than $1$1 when the numerator is less than the denominator.

Fractions are used in many different ways in the real world. For example, recipes often call for fractions of ingredients, like $\dfrac{1}{2}$start fraction, 1, divided by, 2, end fraction a cup of sugar. We also use fractions in measurements, like $\dfrac{3}{4}$start fraction, 3, divided by, 4, end fraction of an inch.