Find a whole object to use to learn and practice fractions. A "whole" would be considered a whole circle, square, pie, of other object that can be equally divided. Large circles cut out of a colored pieces of paper can be used for this exercise.
Using one circle at a time, divide the circle into equal parts by using a marker. For example, a straight line drawn all the way down the center of the circle vertically would make 2 equal parts. A straight line drawn down the middle vertically and intersected by a horizontal line would create 4 equal sections. Draw an "X," along with a centered horizontal line and a centered vertical line to create an circle with 8 equal parts. You can experiment and make even more equal parts of circles that will become smaller and smaller.
Determine the bottom number of the fraction. The bottom number of the faction will always be how many parts are in the whole. For example, the bottom number for the fraction for the circle with 4 equal parts would be 4, the bottom number for the fraction for the circle with 2 equal parts would be 2, and the bottom number for the fraction for the circle with 8 equal parts would be 8.
Determine the top number of the fraction.The top number is always how many parts of the whole are used or taken away. For example, if you have a circle with 2 equal parts and take one part away, the fraction would be 1/2. If you take away 1 part of a circle with 4 equal parts, the fraction would be 1/4. If you take away 3 parts of a circle with 8 equal parts, the fraction would be 3/8.