Fractions review

key notes :

What is a fraction?

A fraction represents part of a whole. Here are some fraction models.

A triangle split into two equal parts with the left part shaded is shown. The triangle is labeled with the fraction one over two and the words one half. Next to the triangle is a circle split into three equal parts with two of the parts shaded. The circle is labeled with the fraction two over three and the words two thirds. Next to the circle is a rectangle split into five equal parts with four of the parts shaded. The rectangle is labeled with the fraction four over five and the words four fifths.

Fractions of a set

Fractions can also represent parts of a set or group. For example, 3/4 of these circles are shaded in.

A group of four circles is shown. Three of the circles are shaded. The circles are labeled with the fraction three over four and the words three fourths.

Fraction words: numerator and denominator

In a fraction, the denominator tells you how many equal parts the whole is split into. The numerator tells you how many of those parts you have. The denominator is the bottom number, and the numerator is the top number.

For example, in the fraction 5/6, 6 is the denominator. The model shows 6 equal parts in the whole. The numerator is 5. The model shows 5 equal parts shaded.

The fraction five over six is shown. The five is labeled numerator. The six is labeled denominator. A rectangle that has been split into six equal parts is shown. Five of the equal parts in the rectangle are shaded.

Learn with an example

What fraction of the shapes are circles or triangles?

Use a forward slash ( / ) to separate the numerator and denominator. ________

Count the number of shapes. There are 12 in total.

Count the number of circles. 3 of the shapes are circles.

Count the number of triangles. 2 of the shapes are triangles.

5 out of 12 shapes are either circles or triangles. Write 5 out of 12 as a fraction:

5/12

What fraction of the shapes are hexagons?

Count the number of shapes. There are 11 in total.

Count the number of hexagons. 4 of the shapes are hexagons.

4 out of 11 shapes are hexagons. Write 4 out of 11 as a fraction:

4/11

What fraction of the shapes are stars or squares?

Count the number of shapes. There are 8 in total.

Count the number of stars. 2 of the shapes are stars.

Count the number of squares. 3 of the shapes are squares.

5 out of 8 shapes are either stars or squares. Write 5 out of 8 as a fraction:

5/8

Let’s practice!