Intro to Fractions
Revised @ 2009 MLC page 1 of 12
Intro to Fractions
Reading Fractions
Fractions are parts. We use them to write and work with amounts that are
less than a whole number (one) but more than zero. The form of a fraction is
one number over another, separated by a fraction (divide) line.
i.e.
9
5
and,
4
3
,
2
1
These are fractions. Each of the two numbers tells certain information
about the fraction (partial number). The bottom number (denominator) tells
how many parts the whole (one) was divided into. The top number
(numerator) tells how many of the parts to count.
2
1
says, “Count one of two equal ports.”
4
3
says, “Count three of four equal parts.”
9
5
says, “Count five of nine equal parts.”
Fractions can be used to stand for information about wholes and their parts:
EX. A class of 20 students had 6 people absent one day. 6 absentees
are part of a whole class of 20 people.
20
6
represents the fraction of
people absent.
EX. A “Goodbar” candy breaks up into 16 small sections. If someone ate
5 of those sections, that person ate
16
5
of the “Goodbar”.
