In Mathematics, a fraction defined as the part of the whole thing. For example, a pizza is divided into four equal pieces, then each piece is represented by ¼.Fractions help to distribute and judge the numbers easily and make the calculation faster. Instead of using decimal values, the representation of fractions looks simpler.
Definition of fraction in Maths
In Maths, a fraction is used to represent the portion/part of the whole thing. It represents the equal parts of the whole. A fraction has two parts, namely numerator and denominator. The number on the top is called the numerator, and the number on the bottom is called the denominator. The numerator defines the number of equal parts taken, whereas the denominator defines the total number of equal parts in a whole.
For example, 5/10 is a fraction.
Here, 5 is a numerator and 10 is a denominator.
Real Life Examples
In real life, we will many examples of fractions, such as:
- If a pizza is divided into two equal parts, then each part is equal to half of the whole pizza
- If we divide a slice of watermelon into three equal parts then each part is equal 1/3rd of the whole
Types of Fractions
There are four different types of fractions. They are:
- Unit Fraction – In a fraction, the numerator with 1 is called a unit fraction. For example, ½, ¼
- Proper Fraction – If a numerator value is less than the denominator value, it is called a proper fraction. Example: 7/9, 8/10
- Improper Fraction – If a numerator value is greater than the denominator value, then it is called an improper fraction. Example: 6/5, 11/10
- Mixed Fraction – If a fraction consists of a whole number with a proper fraction, it is called a mixed fraction. Example 5 ¾, 10 ½
Other Types
- Like Fractions – The fractions with the same denominator are called like fractions.
Example: 4/2, 7/2, 9/2
Here, the denominators of all the fractions are 2. Hence, they are called like fractions.
- Unlike Fractions – The fractions with different denominators are called, unlike fractions.
Example: 5/2, 4/6, 9/4
Here, the denominator values are different in all the fractions. Hence, they are called, unlike fractions.
- Equivalent Fractions– If two fractions result in same value, after simplification, then they are equivalent to each other.
Example: ⅔ and 4/6 are equivalent fractions, since 4/6 = (2×2)/(2×3) = 2/3
Fraction Examples
Question:
Determine the type of fractions given below:
(a) 5 ⅓
(b) 4/6, 8/6, 9/6
Solution:
(a) 5 ⅓ – The given fraction is a mixed fraction. Because it is a combination of both whole number and a proper fraction.
(b) 4/6, 8/6, 9/6 – The given fractions are like fractions. Because the denominators of all the fractions are the same, i.e. 6.
Download BYJU’S – The Learning App and learn important Maths-related articles with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q1
What is a fraction in Mathematics?
A fraction is numerical value that is a part of a whole. It is evaluated by dividing a whole into number of parts. For example, ½ represents half of a whole number or a thing.
Q2
What are the three types of fractions?
The three types of fractions are: Proper fractions, Improper fractions and Mixed fractions.
Q3
What is the definition of proper fractions? Give examples.
A fraction is called a proper fraction when the numerator is smaller than the denominator. Examples are: ⅓, ⅔, ⅖, 3/7, 5/9, etc.
Q4
What is the definition of improper fractions? Give examples.
A fraction is called an improper fraction when the numerator is greater than the denominator.
Examples are: 3/2, 5/2, 7/3, 9/5, etc.
Q5
What is the definition of Mixed fraction?
A combination of whole number and a fraction is called a mixed fraction. For example, 3(½), 6(⅔), are mixed fractions.
Q6
What are the seven types of fractions?
Proper fraction, improper fractions, mixed numbers, like fractions, unlike fractions, equivalent fractions, unit fraction.
Q7
What is ¾ in decimal?
¾ is equal to 0.75 in decimal.
FAQs
In Mathematics, fractions are defined as the parts of a whole. The whole can be an object or a group of objects. In real life, when we cut a piece of cake from the whole of it, then the portion is the fraction of the cake.
What are some examples of fractions in real life? ›
Drinks: To make drinks like mocktails, different fractions of liquids are mixed in the right amounts to get the best outcome. Pizza: Dividing the pizza slices equally amongst everyone requires fractions. Photography and videography: The shutter speed of a camera is calculated using fractions.
How are real life problems be solved using fractions? ›
Fractions are used in baking to tell how much of an ingredient to use. Fractions are used in telling time; each minute is a fraction of the hour. Finally, fractions are used to determine discounts when there's a sale going on.
What is an example of a real life situation illustrating fractions? ›
For example, a pizza is divided into four equal pieces, then each piece is represented by ¼. Fractions help to distribute and judge the numbers easily and make the calculation faster. Instead of using decimal values, the representation of fractions looks simpler.
What are the 7 types of fractions with examples? ›
The different types of fractions are proper fractions, improper fractions, mixed fractions, like fractions, unlike fractions, unit fractions and equivalent fraction. Some examples of different types of fractions are proper fractions (e.g., 1/2), improper fractions (e.g., 5/4), mixed numbers (e.g., 2 1/3), and more.
What is a real life example of comparing fractions? ›
When any two fractions are compared, we get to know the greater and the smaller fraction. We need to compare fractions in our everyday lives. For example, when we need to compare the ratio of ingredients while following a recipe or to compare the scores of exams, etc.
How do you teach fractions in real life examples? ›
The kitchen is a great place to find fractions - recipes are full of them! 1/3 cup of flour, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 a cup of milk, cut the dough into quarters and roll it 1/4" thick. If you don't know fractions, you won't know how to cook.
What is a real life experience of fractions? ›
The main use of fractions in everyday life is for the exchange of money. Most of our currencies contain fractions in the form of decimals. For example, in India, we use rupees, and other countries may have some other currency. So to interchange the money, we take the help of fractions.
What is a real life example of equivalent fractions? ›
For example, if you have a cake, cut it into two equal pieces, and eat one of them, you will have eaten half the cake. If you cut a cake into eight equal pieces and eat four of them, you will still have eaten half the cake. These are equivalent fractions.
What is a real life example of a mixed fraction? ›
Real Life Examples of Mixed Numbers
We can check our understanding of mixed fractions by expressing the parts of a whole as mixed fractions while serving a pizza or a pie at home. Leftover pizzas, half-filled glasses of milk form examples of mixed fractions. – Mixed numbers are also called mixed fractions.
The division of fractions means dividing a fraction into further equal parts. For example, If you have three-fourth of a pizza left and you divided each slice into 2 parts you would get a total of six slices but this would represent six-eighths of the total pizza.
What is a real life example of an improper fraction? ›
Improper fractions are fractions having a numerator greater than the denominator. Here, fractions are representing something in parts. For example, you have 5 pieces of cake and after eating three pieces, you are left with two pieces.
What are real life examples of algebraic fractions? ›
We use common fractions in everyday measures: -inch nail, -yard gain in football, pint of cream, cups of flour. We buy dozen eggs, not 0.5 dozen eggs. We describe 15 minutes as hour, not 0.25 hour. Items are sold at a third off, or at a fraction of the original price.
What is the definition of a fraction and examples? ›
The top number represents the number of selected or shaded parts of a whole whereas the bottom number represents the total number of parts. Suppose a number has to be divided into four parts, then it is represented as x/4. So the fraction here, x/4, defines 1/4th of the number x. Hence, 1/4 is the fraction here.
What are the 7 types of fractions with examples brain? ›
Types of fractions
- Proper Fractions. A fraction where the numerator is always smaller than the denominator is called a proper fraction. ...
- Improper Fractions. ...
- Mixed Fractions. ...
- Unit Fractions. ...
- Like Fractions. ...
- Unlike Fractions. ...
- Equivalent Fractions.
Fractions are the terms used to determine the parts of a whole object. For example, a pizza is divided into four pieces, so each piece of it is represented as 1/4th of the pizza. Here 1 is the numerator and 4 is the denominator.
