Fractions - Vocabulary

In the Year 2 curriculum, students are introduced to the concept of fractions as part of their number learning. A fraction represents an equal part of a whole and is expressed with two numbers: the numerator and the denominator. The numerator, located at the top of a fraction, indicates how many equal parts are being considered, while the denominator at the bottom shows into how many equal parts the whole has been divided. For example, in the fraction 1/4, the numerator is 1, showing we have one part, and the denominator is 4, indicating the whole is divided into four equal parts.

Students learn about different types of fractions, including unit fractions, where the numerator is one, such as 1/4 or 1/3, and non-unit fractions, where the numerator is greater than one, like 3/4 or 2/3. They also explore the concept of a whole, which is something complete, and how it can be divided into halves, thirds, or quarters, each representing equal parts of the whole. Additionally, the concept of equivalent fractions is introduced, showing that different fractions can represent the same quantity, for instance, 1/2 is equivalent to 2/4. Through various visual aids and vocabulary assessments, students learn to identify and compare fractions, understanding their value and how they relate to a whole.