Fractions

What is a fraction?

While whole numbers, such as 1 and 879, are used to indicate how many, fractions are used to tell how much of a whole.

The number below the fraction bar in a fraction is called the denominator. This number indicates how many parts there are in the whole. The number above the fraction bar, called the numerator, tells you how many parts of that whole are represented.

PROCEDURE: To make a fraction, write the total number of units in the whole as your denominator. Then write the number of parts of that whole being represented as the numerator.

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Your class has 24 plants. Your teacher instructs you to put 5 in a shady spot. What fraction does this represent?

Step 1: Write the total number of parts in the whole as the denominator.

Step 2: Write the number of parts of the whole being represented as the numerator.

of the plants will be in the shade.