Fractions Basics
Fractions are everywhere! When you share a pizza, cut a sandwich in half, or eat part of a chocolate bar, you're using fractions. Let's learn how fractions work!
What is a Fraction?
A Fraction is Part of a Whole!
When we divide something into equal parts and take some of those parts, we're working with fractions. A fraction tells us how many parts we have out of how many total equal parts.
🍕 Think About Pizza!
Imagine a pizza cut into 4 equal slices. If you eat 1 slice, you've eaten one fourth (or one quarter) of the pizza.
You ate 1 out of 4 slices
That's the fraction 1/4 (one fourth)!
Parts of a Fraction
Every fraction has two numbers - one on top and one on bottom. Let's learn what they mean!
🧠 Remember It This Way!
- Denominator is DOWN at the bottom - both start with "D"!
- Numerator is the Number of parts you have - both start with "N"!
In the fraction 3/4:
3 = We have 3 parts (numerator)
4 = The whole has 4 equal parts (denominator)
We have 3 out of 4 equal parts!
See Fractions with Pictures
Click on the bars and circles below to see how fractions work!
Fraction Circle: Click the slices!
This circle is divided into 8 equal parts. Click to fill slices.
Click the slices to shade them!
Unit Fractions
A unit fraction is a special fraction where the numerator is always 1. It represents ONE part of a whole.
Unit Fractions Have 1 on Top!
1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6... These are all unit fractions because they show ONE equal part.
Build Your Own Fraction
Use the controls below to create different fractions and see what they look like!
Fraction Builder
One fourth - 1 out of 4 equal parts
Fractions in Real Life
Fractions are all around us! Here are some examples:
Sharing Food
Split a pizza into 8 slices and take 3 - that's 3/8 of the pizza!
Telling Time
Half past (1/2 hour) and quarter past (1/4 hour) use fractions!
Measuring
A ruler shows inches divided into halves, fourths, and eighths.
Recipes
Recipes use fractions like 1/2 cup of sugar or 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
Money
A quarter is 1/4 of a dollar, and two quarters is 1/2 (or 2/4) of a dollar!
Sports
Games have halves (1/2) or quarters (1/4) like football and basketball!
Worked Examples
📝 Example 1: Reading a Fraction
What does the fraction 2/3 mean?
Step 1: Look at the denominator (bottom number): 3
This tells us the whole is divided into 3 equal parts.
Step 2: Look at the numerator (top number): 2
This tells us we have 2 of those parts.
Answer: 2/3 means 2 out of 3 equal parts!
📝 Example 2: Writing a Fraction
A candy bar is divided into 6 equal pieces. Emma ate 4 pieces. What fraction did Emma eat?
Step 1: Find the total equal parts: 6 pieces
The denominator is 6.
Step 2: Find how many parts Emma has: 4 pieces
The numerator is 4.
Answer: Emma ate 4/6 of the candy bar!
📝 Example 3: Identifying a Fraction from a Picture
What fraction is shaded?
Step 1: Count total parts: 5 parts
Step 2: Count shaded parts: 3 parts
Answer: 3/5 (three fifths) is shaded!
Practice Problems
Test your knowledge! Click the correct answer for each question.
Problem 1: What is the numerator in the fraction 5/8?
Problem 2: What is the denominator in the fraction 3/4?
Problem 3: A pie is cut into 6 equal slices. You eat 2 slices. What fraction did you eat?
Problem 4: Which of these is a unit fraction?
Problem 5: Look at this fraction bar. What fraction is shaded?
Fraction Match Game
Can you identify the fraction shown? Click the correct answer!
What fraction is shown?
Check Your Understanding
What does the numerator of a fraction tell us?
What does the denominator of a fraction tell us?
Which fraction shows 5 out of 8 equal parts?
What We Learned
Fractions
Fractions show parts of a whole that is divided into equal pieces.
Numerator
The top number - how many parts we HAVE.
Denominator
The bottom number - how many TOTAL equal parts.
Unit Fractions
Fractions with 1 on top (1/2, 1/3, 1/4...).
Next Steps
- Practice identifying fractions in pictures and real life
- Make sure you can tell the numerator from the denominator
- Try drawing your own fraction bars and circles
- When you're ready, move on to learn about Comparing Fractions!