Mathematics
What is Fraction?
A fraction is a way of representing a part of a whole. It's written as two numbers separated by a line — like ¾ — where the bottom number (denominator) says how many equal parts the whole is divided into, and the top number (numerator) says how many of those parts you have.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains fraction.
Key things to understand
- 1A fraction shows a part of a whole: ¾ means 3 of 4 equal parts.
- 2The top number is the numerator (how many parts); the bottom is the denominator (how many parts make a whole).
- 3A bigger denominator means smaller pieces (⅛ pieces are smaller than ¼ pieces).
- 4Fractions can be equivalent — ½, 2/4, and 4/8 all represent the same amount.
- 5Fractions, decimals, and percentages are three ways of writing the same idea: ½ = 0.5 = 50%.
Frequently asked questions
- What do the two numbers in a fraction mean?
- The top number (numerator) is how many parts you have; the bottom number (denominator) is how many equal parts the whole is split into. In ¾, you have 3 of 4 equal parts.
- What is an equivalent fraction?
- Different fractions that represent the same amount, like ½ and 2/4. You get one by multiplying or dividing the top and bottom by the same number.
- How are fractions and decimals related?
- They're two ways of writing the same value. Divide the numerator by the denominator and you get the decimal: ¾ = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.