What is a fraction?
A fraction represents part of a whole. It is written as one number over another, such as 3/4, where the top number is the numerator and the bottom is the denominator.
The denominator shows how many equal parts the whole is divided into, and the numerator shows how many of those parts you have. In 3/4, the whole is split into four parts and you have three of them.
A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than the denominator, like 2/5. An improper fraction has a larger numerator, like 7/4, which can also be written as the mixed number 1 3/4. Fractions that look different can be equal, such as 1/2 and 2/4.
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Fractions can be turned into decimals by dividing the numerator by the denominator: 1/4 equals 0.25, or 25 percent. Some fractions give repeating decimals, such as 1/3 = 0.333...
Did You Know?
Ancient Egyptians wrote most fractions as sums of unit fractions, which have 1 on top, such as 1/2 + 1/4 for three quarters.