A fraction is a division problem that tells you how many parts of a whole you have. This is a simple explanation, but a complex idea. A fraction, when it is divided, will give you a quotient in decimal form. A fraction tells you two things: how many parts the whole thing is divided into and how many parts of that whole you have.
A mixed fraction will have a whole number with it. This indicates that you have at least one or more whole things and then a portion of another thing. For example if you have 5 1/2 pizzas, you have five whole pizzas and one-half of another pizza.
The denominator of a fraction is on the bottom. It tells you how many parts your whole is divided into. If you have a pizza that is divided into six parts, you will have a six in the bottom part of the fraction.
The denominator cannot be a zero. You cannot divide something into zero parts. The fewest number of parts you can have is one.
The numerator of a fraction is on the top. This number tells you how many parts you have. If you have a pizza with only four slices left, you will have a four in the top part of the fraction.
Unlike the denominator, you can have a zero in the numerator. You are just saying that you don't have any parts.
When you have the same number in your numerator as you do in your denominator, the fraction is equal to one. This means 6/6 = 1.
When you have a numerator that is larger than your denominator, this is an improper fraction. The 5 1/2 pizzas from the first section can also be written as 11/2 when it is an improper fraction.
A proper fraction will have a smaller numerator than the denominator. Dividing the numerator by the denominator and then putting the remainder back into the numerator will give you a mixed fraction consisting of a fractional part that is proper. For example, 18/5 = 3 with a remainder of 3 = 3 3/5.
Fractions can be used to find decimals, percentages and even proportions. To find a decimal, the denominator is divided into the numerator. Sometimes the numerator is referred to as the rider and denominator is called the horse. When converting from a fraction to a decimal, the rider (numerator) goes under the division sign, and the horse (denominator) stays on the outside of the division sign. For example, 5/10 = 0.5
When you calculate percentages from fractions, you must first divide the numerator by the denominator, and then you must multiply the decimal answer by 100. This will give you the percentage. For example, 5/10 = 0.5. And 0.5 * 100 = 50 percent.