Lesson 8

Fractions
Fractions
• A fraction is a number that stands for parts of a whole object.
• A fraction is always less than one.
• Fractions are written by looking at the total number of equal parts
and the number of parts shaded or coloured.
Example:
 I. Halves

When a whole (rectangle) is divided into 2 equal parts, each part is called a half. •
It is written as :

• Both the parts are coloured.

• 2/2 of the rectangle is coloured.
• Two halves make a whole.
 II. Thirds

The rectangle is divided into 3 equal parts. Each part is called a third.
1
3

• One part is coloured.

• We say that one – third is coloured.
• One – third is written as
 1 1 1
3 3 3

• Two parts are coloured.

• We say that two – thirds is coloured.
• Two – thirds is written as
1 1 1
3 3 3

• All parts are coloured.

• We say that three – thirds is coloured.
• Three – thirds is written as
Note: Three one – thirds make a whole.
111. Fourths

• This square is divided into 4 equal parts, each part is called a fourth.
1 • One part is coloured.
4 • We say that one – fourth is coloured.
• One – fourth is written as

Two parts are coloured.

1
4 • We say that two – fourths is coloured.
1
4 • Two – fourths is written as
1 1 Three part are coloured.
4 4
1 • We say that three – fourths is coloured.
4
• Three – fourths is written as 3
4

1 1
4 4 All the four parts are coloured.
1 1
4 4 • We say that four – fourths is coloured.
• Four – fourths is written as 4 4
Note: Four one – fourths makes a whole.
Some other fractions are :

4
5
Numerator and Denominator

3
4
In the fraction :
• 3 out of 4 equal parts are taken.
• 3 is the numerator of the fraction.
• The whole is divided into 4 equal parts.
• 4 is the denominator of the fraction.
Fraction of a collection

• This is a collection of three circles. 1 circle is white and 2 are black circles.
• We can say that:
2 of the collection is black
3

• Numerator shows the number considered (white circle)

• Denominator shows the total number in the collection.

Example:

1) What fraction is 1 out of 4 equal parts?

1
4

2) 5 sweets are taken from a pack of 12 sweets. What is the fraction of

sweets taken?
5
12
Finding fraction of a collection
Finding half of 16

of 16
= (16 ÷ 2 ) x 1
=8x1
=8
1) What is one – third of 12 collection of
apples?
of 12
=(12 ÷ 3 )x 1
=4 x 1
=4
 Solve
of 25
= ( 25 ÷ 5 ) x 1
=5x1
=5

of 64
= (64 ÷ 8 ) x 1
=8x1
=8
What Is like fraction ?
• Like fractions are fractions whose denominators are the
same.

EG: 2 5
8 8

The fractions with different denominators are

called unlike fractions.
EXAMPLE:

3/4, 5/6, 1/3, 4/7, 9/9

COMPARING FRACTION
3/4

1/4

Here ¼ < ¾
because 3 parts are greater than 1 part
When the denominators are same, the fraction with the greater
numerator is greater.
Note:
Denominator - total number of parts / total number in the collection.
Numerator - number of parts taken / number considered.
Compare the fractions
<
 5/ 10 ______ 8/10

>
 7/5 ________ 4/5

> 7/14
8/14 _______

<
 3 / 4 _______ 5/4