A fraction describes how many parts of an object there are. You can use fractions to split a whole number into parts, such as halves or quarters.
Fractions can be written in words or as a figure. In maths sums, they are normally written as figures. For example, 'three-quarters' is represented as 3/4.
Numerators and denominators
Fractions are made up of two parts, the numerator and the denominator.
The numerator is the number above the line in a fraction and shows how many parts we have out of the whole. For example, in the fraction 1/4, the numerator is 1.
The denominator below the line shows how many equal parts there are in total and so what to divide the whole into.
For example, in the fraction ½, the denominator is 2.
Can CAL afford it?
In this clip CAL wants to buy a new hat, but the cost of the hats are reduced by fraction amounts. He wants to know if he has enough money to buy the hats.
Amelia explains how to find the amount of money off the hats, by using fractions.
AMELIA: Hi CAL, choosing a new hat?
CAL: Oh, hi Amelia. Yes I am but I only have £10. I like all the hats but I don't know if I have enough money. There are some funny numbers by the prices. What do they mean?
AMELIA: Don't worry. The funny number is called a fraction.
CAL: A what?
AMELIA: A fraction.
CAL: That sounds complicated!
AMELIA: Not at all. When a maths problem seems difficult, we usually just need to separate the problem up into lots of little problems that are easy to answer.
CAL: I like that.
AMELIA: Here the whole amount for the hat is £8. The bottom number of the fraction - the denominator - tells you what you are dividing the whole amount by. Here it's four, so we have eight divided into four equal parts. The top number - the numerator - tells you how many of those equal parts you need to grab. Here it's just one, so £8 divided by four is?
CAL: Two!
AMELIA: That’s it. So that's a total of £2.
CAL: Ah, so a quarter of £8 is £2…
AMELIA: Spot on!
CAL: … and if I get the £2 and take it away from the £8 - subtract it - I get £6. The hat is £8. With a quarter off, that's £6. I have enough money! Yay!
AMELIA: Nice fashion, CAL!
CAL: Cheers Amelia!
How many slices are left?
Have a go and see if you can divide this tasty apple pie into two, four, six and eight equal parts.
Image caption, 1/2 (one half)
One out of two slices is ready to be served.
1 of 4
Have a go at the quiz to practise your fraction skills.
More on Number
Find out more by working through a topic
- count3 of 25
- count4 of 25
- count5 of 25
- count6 of 25
