🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand what a fraction represents
- Identify and describe the different types of fractions
- Convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Simplify fractions to their lowest terms
🧩 1. What Is a Fraction?
A fraction shows a part of a whole.
Every fraction has two parts:
- Numerator (top number) → how many parts are taken
- Denominator (bottom number) → how many equal parts the whole is divided into
👉 Example:
3/4 means 3 parts out of 4 equal parts.
🍕 If a pizza is cut into 4 equal slices and you eat 3, you’ve eaten three-quarters of the pizza.
🍕 2. Types of Fractions
| Type | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Proper Fraction | 3/4 | Numerator smaller than denominator. Value is less than 1. |
| Improper Fraction | 7/4 | Numerator larger than denominator. Value is more than 1. |
| Mixed Number | 1 ¾ | Whole number and a fraction together. |
| Unit Fraction | 1/5 | Numerator = 1. Represents one part of a whole. |
| Equivalent Fractions | ½ = 2/4 = 3/6 | Different fractions showing the same value. |
🧮 3. Converting Between Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers
🟠 A. Converting Improper Fraction → Mixed Number
Steps
- Divide the numerator by the denominator
- The quotient (answer) is the whole number
- The remainder becomes the new numerator
- Keep the same denominator
👉 Example:
Convert 11/4 into a mixed number.
• 11 ÷ 4 = 2 remainder 3
• So, 11/4 = 2 ¾
🟢 B. Converting Mixed Number → Improper Fraction
Steps
- Multiply the whole number by the denominator
- Add the numerator
- Keep the same denominator
👉 Example:
Convert 3 ½ into an improper fraction.
• (3 × 2) + 1 = 7
• So, 3 ½ = 7/2
✳️ 4. Simplifying Fractions
To simplify, divide both the numerator and the denominator by their highest common factor (HCF).
👉 Example:
Simplify 6/8
- HCF of 6 and 8 is 2
- Divide both by 2 → 3/4
📘 Summary
- Fractions show parts of a whole
- Proper fractions are less than 1
- Improper fractions are greater than 1
- Mixed numbers combine a whole number and a fraction
- To convert:
- Improper → Mixed → Divide
- Mixed → Improper → Multiply and add
- Always simplify your answer
🌟 Keywords
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fraction | A number showing part of a whole |
| Numerator | The top number in a fraction |
| Denominator | The bottom number in a fraction |
| Improper Fraction | A fraction larger than 1 |
| Mixed Number | A whole number and a fraction together |
| Simplify | Reduce a fraction to its simplest form |