Fractions

To understand a fraction, lets look at the different parts that make up the fraction. 

*Denominator

*Numerator

*Fraction bar

The bottom digit of a fraction. When any object is split into equally sized parts, the denominator is used to represent THE NUMBER of EQUAL PARTS. Examples: A pizza sliced into 12 equal slices (denominator 12); a cake cut into 15 equal squares (denominator 15); a football field sectioned into 20 equals parts not counting the end zones (denominator 20). (the first letter is D to remind you of down)

The top digit of a fraction. This digit represents HOW MANY of those specific sized denominator parts that we have. Examples: if we only have 3 slices of the 12 slices of pizza or 6 slices of the 12 slices of cake. (the second letter is 'u' to remind you of UP.)

The fraction bar separates the numerator from the denominator. It represents the math operation of DIVISION. I often repeat this sentence: "THE FRACTION BAR MEANS DIVIDE." If you look closely at the divide symbol, it looks like a fraction waiting to be filled in -- A circle on the top and bottom waiting for a number.

 A cake sliced into 8 equal sized parts could be represented as a fraction. 8 would be the denominator because that is the number of the equal parts. A numerator would be based on the number of slices we are taking. In the picture, only 1 slice is taken away which can be represented by the fraction 1/8