Fraction of a Whole Numbers

Fraction is a part of a whole. The whole can be a single object or a collection of objects.

A Whole Cake	A Collection of Apples

Fraction of a whole numbers are explained here with 4 following examples.

(i)

There are three shapes:

(a) circle-shape

(b) rectangle-shape and

(c) square-shape

Each one is divided into 4 equal parts. One part is shaded, i.e., one-fourth of the shape is shaded and three parts of the shape is unshaded.

We say that, 1/4 of the shape is shaded and 3/4 of the shape is unshaded.

This 1/4 or 3/4 is a fraction or a fractional number.

1/4 = Out of 4 equal parts of a whole, one part is taken.

3/4 = Out of 4 equal parts of a whole, 3 parts are taken.

(ii) The rectangular shape is divided into 5 equal parts. 2 parts of this rectangle are shaded. The total parts of a whole are 5. Each equal part of the whole shape is 1/5. Two equal parts (shaded part) of the whole is 2/5. Three equal parts (unshaded parts) of the whole is 3/5.

2/5 means 2 parts out of 5 equal parts. We read it two-fifths or two by five.

(iii) There is a collection of 7 glasses, of which 4 glasses are colorful.

Thus, 4/7 part of the collection of 7 glasses are coloured.

(iv) There are 12 hearts in a collection. 5 hearts are in shaded parts.

5 out of 12 hearts are in shaded portion and the rest 7 out of 12 hearts are in unshaded portion.

They represent 5/12 and 7/12 as fractions.

A fraction is a number written as a quotient of a pair of natural numbers.

For example; \(\frac{3}{4}\), \(\frac{5}{6}\), \(\frac{2}{8}\), etc.

The number written above the horizontal line is called Numerator.

The number written below the horizontal line is called Denominator.

In the fraction; \(\frac{3}{4}\)

                       3 is the Numerator and 

                       4 is the Denominator.

The Numerator and Denominator are sometimes called as the terms of the fractions.

Related Concept

● Fraction of a Whole Numbers

● Representation of a Fraction

● Equivalent Fractions

● Properties of Equivalent Fractions

● Like and Unlike Fractions

● Comparison of Like Fractions

● Comparison of Fractions having the same Numerator

● Types of Fractions

● Changing Fractions

● Conversion of Fractions into Fractions having Same Denominator

● Conversion of a Fraction into its Smallest and Simplest Form

● Addition of Fractions having the Same Denominator

● Subtraction of Fractions having the Same Denominator

● Addition and Subtraction of Fractions on the Fraction Number Line

4th Grade Math Activities

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