Fractions - Definition

Fractions are a way to represent numbers that are not whole. A fraction is made up of two parts: a numerator and a denominator. The numerator is the number on top of the fraction, and the denominator is the number on the bottom.

For example, the fraction 3/5 is made up of the numerator 3 and the denominator 5. The numerator represents the number of parts we have, and the denominator represents the total number of parts in the whole. In this case, we have 3 out of 5 parts.

Fractions can be used in many different ways. They can be used to represent parts of a whole, such as the 3/5 of a pizza that you ate. They can also be used to represent measurements, such as 3/5 of a cup of sugar.

When working with fractions, it is important to understand how to simplify them. Simplifying a fraction means making it as small as possible without changing its value. For example, the fraction 3/5 is already in its simplest form and cannot be simplified. However, if we had the fraction 6/10, we could simplify it by dividing both the numerator and denominator by 2, giving us the fraction 3/5.

Fractions can also be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided just like whole numbers. To add or subtract fractions, the denominators must be the same. To multiply fractions, you multiply the numerators and denominators separately. To divide fractions, you flip the second fraction (the one you are dividing by) and multiply.

fractions Types

Understanding the different types of fractions is an important concept in math that can help make calculations and problem-solving easier.

  • Proper fraction: A proper fraction is a fraction where the numerator (the top number) is less than the denominator (the bottom number). For example, the fraction 3/5 is a proper fraction because 3 is less than 5.
  • Improper fraction: An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator. For example, the fraction 8/5 is an improper fraction because 8 is greater than 5. Improper fractions can be converted to mixed numbers which are a whole number and a fraction. For example, 8/5 can be converted to 1 3/5.
  • Mixed number: A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction combined. For example, the mixed number 1 3/5 is made up of the whole number 1 and the fraction 3/5. Mixed numbers can be converted to improper fractions by multiplying the whole number by the denominator and adding the numerator.
  • Reciprocal: A reciprocal is a fraction where the numerator and denominator are flipped. For example, the reciprocal of 3/5 is 5/3. Reciprocals are useful when dividing fractions.
  • Complex fraction: Complex fractions are fractions that have a fraction in the numerator or denominator, or both. For example, the complex fraction (2/3) / (4/5) is made up of the fractions 2/3 and 4/5. Complex fractions can be simplified by using the methods of simplifying fractions.

Understanding the different types of fractions is an important concept in math that can help make calculations and problem-solving easier. Knowing when to use each type of fraction can be helpful in many everyday situations, such as cooking, shopping, and understanding recipes.

Adding and subtracting fractions

Adding and subtracting fractions is a fundamental math concept that is used in many everyday situations. It is important to understand how to add and subtract fractions in order to make accurate calculations and solve problems.

When adding or subtracting fractions, the denominators (the bottom number) of the fractions must be the same. This is because the denominator represents the total number of parts in a whole, and in order to add or subtract fractions, the parts must be the same size.

The key to adding and subtracting fractions is to make sure that the denominators are the same. Once the denominators are the same, we can add or subtract the numerators and the answer will be a fraction with the same denominator. Understanding how to add and subtract fractions can be helpful in many everyday situations, such as cooking, shopping, and understanding recipes. It's also helpful to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers for better understanding.

Test your knowledge with Upfunda Quiz!

  1. My grandmother has a dog named Benny, as well as some ducks, hens and geese. She has 40 animals altogether. She has four times as many geese as ducks. Benny and the hens make up one half of all her animals. My grandmother has
  2. There are seven days in a week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are what fractions of the week?
  3. Amritha, Jhanvi and Rishika bought a pizza. They wanted to share pizza equally ongg three friends. Which of the following statements is/are true?
  4. Which fraction will make the following number sentence TRUE?
  5. If 17/19 of the cup is filled, then what raction of the cup is empty?
  6. Which of the following fraction is the closest to 1/2?
  7. Find the distance which Mara covers to get to her friend Bunica
View Answers
  1. D: 19 Hens and 16 Geese
  2. C: 3/7
  3. A: They all get half of the pizza.
  4. A: 2/3
  5. B: 2/19
  6. B: 29/57
  7. A: 800