Fractions

A fraction is a way to show a part of something. Imagine you cut a pizza into four equal slices and eat one. You ate one out of four slices. That is the fraction 1/4. Fractions help us share things fairly and measure small amounts.

Parts of a Fraction

A fraction has two numbers. The top number is called the numerator. It tells you how many parts you have. The bottom number is called the denominator. It tells you how many equal parts the whole was split into. In 3/4, the 3 is the numerator and the 4 is the denominator.

Using Fractions Every Day

People use fractions all the time. Bakers use them to measure flour and sugar. Clocks show half past and quarter past the hour. When you share a candy bar with a friend, you each get 1/2. Fractions make it easy to talk about small pieces of things.

Fun Facts

• The word fraction comes from a Latin word that means to break.
• Ancient Egyptians wrote fractions over 4,000 years ago.
• A fraction with the same top and bottom number, like 5/5, equals one whole.

Did You Know?

The line between the top and bottom of a fraction has a special name. It is called a vinculum!