Module 4 · Fractions · Lesson 13 of 39

What a fraction means

Part of a whole, a division, and what percent means.

In this lesson · about 10 minutes

Name the numerator and denominator
Write a fraction for a real situation
Turn a percent into a fraction

A fraction is part of a whole. It has two numbers: the top is the numerator and the bottom is the denominator. In 23, 2 is the numerator and 3 is the denominator.

Think of a pizza you share with a friend. You cut it into 2 equal pieces (the denominator) and you eat 1 of them (the numerator): you ate 12 of the pizza. In a sentence we write it with a slash, 1/2.

A fraction is also a division: 23 means "2 divided by 3".

1/2 one-half	1/3 one-third	1/4 one-fourth
2/2 two-halves	2/3 two-thirds	3/4 three-fourths

Percent

"Percent" means "divided by 100". So 50% = 50100 and 76% = 76100.

Try it · interactive

Build a fraction

Set the denominator (how many equal parts) and the numerator (how many you have).

Numerator (parts you have)2Denominator (equal parts)3Multiply top and bottom by2

2/3

4/6

Both bars are shaded the same amount, so 2/3 = 4/6. They are equivalent fractions. 2/3 is already in lowest terms.

Worked example

A walk to the store

A store is 4 miles from home and I've already walked 3 miles. What fraction of the walk is done?

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Tip: master each practice set first (get 5 right in a row).

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