What is fraction Loosely speaking a fraction is

What is fraction? Loosely speaking, a fraction is a quantity that cannot be represented by a whole number. Why do we need Fraction? Considering the following scenario Can you finish the whole cake? If not, how many cakes did you eat? 1 is not the answer, neither is 0. This suggest that we need a new kind of number.

Definition A fraction is a part of a whole. The bottom number tells how many equal parts the whole is divided. The number at the top tells us how many of those parts are being talked about. Example: 1 2 1 part shaded (or 1 part of the whole) 2 equal parts of a whole

Fraction Notation A fraction is a number used to name a part of a group or a whole. The number above the bar is the numerator. The number below the bar is the denominator. This is the numerator The fraction one-half is written like this: 1 This is the denominator 2

One-third Which part of the pizza would you like to eat? How many other people can you equally share the rest of the cake with? This pizza is divided into 3 equal parts. One part of 3 equal parts is called one- third. It is written as 1/3. We get thirds when we divide an object into 3 equal parts. One of three equal parts is called one third.

One-fourth How many parts of the paper shall we have if we fold it just like below? --- Each shall have 4 equal parts. We get fourths when we divide an object into 4 equal parts. One of four equal parts is called one- fourth. It is written as ¼.

Fraction Models Fraction can be shown as part of a circle. Here is ¼ of a circle. 1 out of four parts is shaded in so we say one-fourth. Or as part of rectangle Here is ¾ of the rectangle 3 out of 4 parts is shaded in, So we say three-fourths