Vocabulary - Fractions

The concept of fractions is a fundamental aspect of mathematics, taught to help students understand how to represent and work with parts of a whole. A fraction consists of a numerator, which is the number above the line, and a denominator, which is the number below the line. The numerator signifies how many parts are being considered, while the denominator indicates into how many equal parts the whole is divided. For example, in one half, the numerator is one and the denominator is two, indicating that the whole is divided into two equal parts and one of those parts is being considered.

Fractions can represent more than just a single part of a whole; they can denote several equal parts. For instance, two quarters or three quarters are fractions that describe how many parts of four equal sections are being taken. When the number of parts equals the number of divisions, such as four quarters or three thirds, it represents one whole. Fractions can also be equivalent, meaning they have the same value but different numerators and denominators, like one half and two quarters. A unit fraction has a numerator of one, indicating a single part of the division, whereas a non-unit fraction has a numerator greater than one. Additionally, fractions can be converted into decimals, providing another way to represent the same value in a different form.