Fractions are a fundamental concept in mathematics that represent parts of a

whole. They consist of two numbers separated by a horizontal or slanted line. The
number above the line is called the numerator, and the number below the line is
called the denominator.

Here's a breakdown of the parts of a fraction:

Numerator: This is the number above the line in a fraction. It represents how many
parts of the whole you have or are considering.

Denominator: The number below the line in a fraction. It represents the total
number of equal parts into which the whole is divided.

For example, in the fraction

3
4
4
3

The numerator is 3, indicating that there are 3 parts being considered.

The denominator is 4, indicating that the whole is divided into 4 equal parts.
Fractions can represent various quantities, including proper fractions, improper
fractions, and mixed numbers:

Proper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is smaller than the denominator.
For example,
1
2
2
1

,
3
4
4
3

Improper Fraction: A fraction where the numerator is equal to or greater than the
denominator. For example,
5
4
4
5

,
7
3
3
7

Mixed Number: A combination of a whole number and a proper fraction. For example,
1
1
2
1
2
1

,
3
2
3
3
3
2

Fractions are used in various mathematical operations, including addition,

subtraction, multiplication, and division. Here's a brief overview of these
operations:

Addition and Subtraction: When adding or subtracting fractions, you need to have a
common denominator. If the denominators are different, you can find a common
denominator by finding the least common multiple (LCM) of the denominators.

Multiplication: To multiply fractions, you simply multiply the numerators together

to get the new numerator and multiply the denominators together to get the new
denominator.

Division: To divide fractions, you invert the second fraction (the divisor) and
then multiply it by the first fraction (the dividend). This is often remembered by
the phrase "invert and multiply."

Understanding fractions is essential for many aspects of mathematics, including

algebra, geometry, and calculus. They are also used in everyday life situations,
such as cooking, measurement, and financial calculations.