Section II. FRACTIONS
1-14. DEFINITION
A fraction is less than a whole amount. A whole number may be divided into one
or more equal parts. It is expressed by two numbers separated by a line.
EXAMPLES: 1 1 2 4 5
2, 3, 3, 5, 6.
1-15. PARTS OF FRACTIONS
The parts of a fraction are the numerator, or upper number, and the denominator,
or bottom number.
EXAMPLE: In the fraction 1 the "1" is the numerator, and
3,
the "3" is the denominator.
1-16. KINDS OF FRACTIONS
a. A proper fraction has a numerator that is smaller than the denominator.
EXAMPLES: The fraction 1 is a proper fraction because the
4
numerator, "1" is smaller than the denominator. "4."
Other examples are: 1 3 and 7
2, 4,
8.
b. An improper fraction has a numerator that is larger than the denominator or
equal to the denominator.
EXAMPLES: The fraction 4 is an improper fraction because
3
the numerator "4" is larger than the denominator "3."
Other examples are 9 5 and 3
2, 3,
3.
c.
A mixed number is made up of a whole number and a fraction.
EXAMPLES: 2 3 is a mixed number because it has a whole
4
number "2" and a fraction "3/4".
Other examples are: 3 1 , 1 1, and 4 1/8.
4 3
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