Introduction to Fractions

Introduction to

Fractions

What is a fraction?
01

How to read a fraction
02

How to represent a fraction
03

Exercises
04

Table of contents

What is a fraction?

A fraction is a type of number that serves to express a

numerical value, where the unit is divided into equal parts. A
fraction is understood as the quotient of two numbers, that is, as

a division yet to be solved.

01

Fractions are written as follows:

The numerator represents the parts we have.

The denominator represents the equal parts into
which the unit is divided.

The line between the numerator and the
denominator is known as the fraction bar.

Elements of a fraction

How to read a fraction
02

To read a fraction, first read the numerator as any number and then
the denominator as follows:

If the denominator is greater than 10: read the number as if it
were an ordinal number (and adding an -s if the numerator is
greater than 1).

How to read a fraction

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

wholes

halves

thirds

fourths

fifths

sixths

sevenths

eighths

ninths

tenths

If the denominator is:

Examples

3/8

Three eighths

1/4

One fourth (or quarter)

40/18

Forty eighteenths

8/2

Eight halves

How to represent a fraction
03

A fraction can be represented by geometric models (figures), for example:

The following rectangle represents 1 integer or
unit, divided into 4 equal parts, of which 3 are
colored red and 1 is blue. We could say that ¾ are
colored red and ¼ is colored blue.

How to represent a fraction

The circle shown below represents 1 integer or unit,
and is divided into 3 equal parts, 2 of which are
colored yellow and 1 of which is colored green. We could
say that 2/3 are colored yellow and 1/3 green.

Fractions can also be applied to represent everyday situations; for example, a pizza, ice cream, tables,
bottles, etc.

How to represent a fraction

Exercises
04

Write how to read these fractions

4/6

15/10

3/2

4/4

5/9

Represent the following fractions

9/6

15/12

5/2

10/10

7/5