why do you use fractions in life?

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.

How big can a fraction get? Is there such thing as 100 equal parts?

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.

How can you tell if a fraction is less,greater,or = to a half or a whole too.

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.

How do i know when it is 1 whole on a number line

when you see a 1 on the number line

how does 9/3 equal 1?

NO it DOESN'T because it is OVER 1 WHOLE

Main content

Course: 3rd grade > Unit 5

Lesson 5: Fractions and whole numbers

Understand fractions: FAQ

Google Classroom

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

numerator

is the number of equal parts being counted.

The

denominator

is the number of equal parts in one whole.

\frac{numerator}{denominator}

What does it mean when the numerator is bigger than the denominator?

It means that the fraction is bigger than

1

For example,

\frac{4}{3}

is greater than

1

because the number of pieces we are counting,

4

is greater than the number of pieces in the whole,

3

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

\frac{1}{4}

halfway between

0

and

\frac{1}{2}

How can we relate fractions to $1$ ‍?

A fraction is greater than

1

when the numerator is greater than the denominator.

A fraction is equal to

1

when the numerator is equal to the denominator.

A fraction is less than

1

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

\frac{1}{2}

a cup of sugar. We also use fractions in measurements, like

\frac{3}{4}

of an inch.

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2223561
Posted a year ago. Direct link to 2223561's post “why do you use fractions ...”
why do you use fractions in life?
Comment on 2223561's post “why do you use fractions ...”
(37 votes)
- Leo Maykell
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to Leo Maykell's post “Because we need to use it...”
  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.
  (25 votes)
ADDYSONH
Posted a year ago. Direct link to ADDYSONH's post “How can you tell if a fra...”
How can you tell if a fraction is less,greater,or = to a half or a whole too.
(9 votes)
- SP
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to SP's post “If a fraction is a whole ...”
  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.
  (29 votes)
hchao200561
Posted a year ago. Direct link to hchao200561's post “How big can a fraction ge...”
How big can a fraction get? Is there such thing as 100 equal parts?
(15 votes)
- Leo Maykell
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to Leo Maykell's post “Let's see some exemples t...”
  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.
  Comment on Leo Maykell's post “Let's see some exemples t...”
  (11 votes)
prashni
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to prashni's post “Did you know that math is...”
Did you know that math is everywhere? I was surprised when I heard that! Even though it is surprising, I LOVE IT!
Button navigates to signup pageComment on prashni's post “Did you know that math is...”
(6 votes)
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nicolette.o150629
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to nicolette.o150629's post “if the answer is wrong wh...”
if the answer is wrong why does it say to move on insted of getting the right answer
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- dangolsamik
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  I dunno
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180010024
Posted 3 months ago. Direct link to 180010024's post “How do i know when it is ...”
How do i know when it is 1 whole on a number line
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(4 votes)
Answer
- danielwaldrop
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to danielwaldrop's post “when you see a 1 on the n...”
  when you see a 1 on the number line
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Camden
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to Camden's post “What do you need fraction...”
What do you need fractions for
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(3 votes)
Answer
- Udit
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to Udit's post “Fractions are used in man...”
  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.
  Comment on Udit's post “Fractions are used in man...”
  (3 votes)
visws0931
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to visws0931's post “when were fractoins creat...”
when were fractoins created
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- dangolsamik
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to dangolsamik's post “About in 1913 October 23r...”
  About in 1913 October 23rd
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  (3 votes)
ElizaL
Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to ElizaL's post “how does 9/3 equal 1?”
how does 9/3 equal 1?
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(2 votes)
Answer
- Annie N｡◕‿◕｡
  Posted 2 months ago. Direct link to Annie N｡◕‿◕｡'s post “NO it DOESN'T because it ...”
  NO it DOESN'T because it is OVER 1 WHOLE
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  (3 votes)
🐶💛pompompuirn💛🐶
Posted a month ago. Direct link to 🐶💛pompompuirn💛🐶's post “Everyone here i want you ...”
Everyone here i want you to type your favorite fraction right here and then i will choose the most liked and common fraction here
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(3 votes)
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- Kartik Grover
  Posted a month ago. Direct link to Kartik Grover's post “one half”
  one half
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  (3 votes)

3rd grade