Fractions
Fractions are used to represent parts of a whole thing. Many examples of fractions are shown using circular objects, however other shapes can also be split into fractions like squares, rectangles, triangles.
The top number of a fraction shows how many parts of a whole that you have, and is called the numerator.
The bottom of a fraction shows the total numbers of elements that make up the whole, and is called the denominator.
A whole orange can be cut into 2 halves (½). Then that half can be cut in half again, leaving 4 quarter (¼) slices.
One whole stick of butter can be cut into ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, and ¾.
Proper Fractions
Proper fractions are used to measure the individual parts of one whole thing. In cases like this, the numerator is smaller or equal to the denominator:
½ , ¼ , ⅔ , ¾ , ⁴⁄₁₆ …
Mixed & Improper Fractions
Improper fractions are used when the total number of parts make up more than one whole. For example, if you have 5 quarter slices of an orange, this is represented by the fraction ⁵⁄₄ .
Mixed fractions are a combination of whole numbers and fractions. Mixed fractions can be changed into improper
fractions. For example, ⁵⁄₄ orange slices can be show as 1 ¼ to represent 1 full orange and 1 additional quarter slice.
Like Fractions
Fractions with the same denominators are called Like Fractions, and can be easily added together by adding the numerators and leaving the denominator the same.
⅓ + ⅔ = ³⁄₃ = 1
²⁄₁₀ + ⁵⁄₁₀ = ⁷⁄₁₀