A fraction shows a part of one whole thing. If you split a chocolate bar into equal pieces, each piece is a fraction of the bar.
The top and bottom numbers
Every fraction has two numbers. The bottom number tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into. The top number tells you how many of those parts you have.
Common fractions
| Fraction | Means |
|---|---|
| ½ | 1 out of 2 equal parts |
| ¼ | 1 out of 4 equal parts |
| 1/3 | 1 out of 3 equal parts |
| 1/10 | 1 out of 10 equal parts |
Fractions of numbers
To find a fraction of a number, share it equally. Half of 8 sweets means split 8 into 2 groups: 4 in each. So ½ of 8 = 4.
Equivalent fractions
Some fractions look different but are worth the same. If you cut a cake in half, then cut each half again, you get quarters. Two of those quarters is the same as one half.
So ½ = 2/4. They are equivalent fractions.
Comparing fractions
If the bottom numbers are the same, the bigger top number is the bigger fraction. So 3/4 is bigger than 1/4. And a half is always bigger than a quarter of the same whole.
Put these fractions in order, smallest first:
- ¼
- ½
- ¾