| A fraction of something
is a part of the complete thing.
Above is a pie divided into four parts called quarters. On the right one quarter (1/4) has been taken away leaving three quarters (3/4). Look at the fraction below. The top tells how many parts there are in the fraction. The bottom tells us how many parts the whole is divided into. So this fraction tells us that it is four parts of a whole pie containing six parts. |
| A fraction can represent
a division.
The above fraction shows 4 divided by 6. |
| Fractions can often be simplified
by dividing the top and bottom by the same number.
2/4 can be simplified by dividing top and bottom by 2 giving 1/2. Dividing top and bottom of 15/25 by 5 gives 3/5. Try 150/300. |
| The fractions we have looked
at so far have all been less than 1, but can be more, such 7/6.
These can also be simplified. 9/6 simplified is 3/2.
|
| 2 5/8 (two and five eighths)
can be turned into a fraction.
The whole number (2) is multiplied by the denominator (8) giving 16. This is added to the numerator
giving 21/8.
|
| 20/7 can be converted into
a whole number plus a fraction.
Divide 7 into 20. It goes twice (14) leaving 6 so it becomes 2 6/7 (two and six sevenths). |
|
3/4 + 1/8 Find a common denominator (one into which both 4 and 8 will divide) in this case 8.
The 8 goes into 8 once. |
|
4/6 - 1/4 12 is a number that they will both divide into.
4 is multiplied by 2 because 6 goes into twelve twice. 1 is multiplied by 3 because 4 goes into 12 three times. |
|
3/6 x 2/3 simplify 1/2 x 2/3 multiply top and bottom
|
|
1/2 ÷ 2/3 Turn one fraction upside down and multiply 1/2 x 3/2 = 3/4
|
Copyright Graham Knott 2004
