Types of Fractions

The various types of fractions are:

1. Like Fractions:

The fractions having the same denominators are known as like fractions.

We know that fractions such as 2/5, 3/5, 5/5, 7/5, 9/5, ….etc., are like fractions.

2. Unlike Fractions:

Fractions having different denominators are called unlike fractions.

\(\frac{3}{5}\), \(\frac{2}{7}\), \(\frac{5}{9}\), \(\frac{4}{11}\),  ......... are unlike fractions.

3. The same Numerator Fractions:

The factors having the same numerators are called the same numerator fractions.

Fractions such as 2/5, 2/7, 2/9, 2/11, …………, etc., are same numerator fractions.

4. Unit Fractions:

The fractions having one (1) as their numerator are called unit fractions.

1/3, 1/5, 1/7, 1/9, …………, etc., are unit fractions.

5. Proper Fractions:

A fraction in which the denominator is greater than the numerator is called a proper fraction. We can also say that a fraction with its numerator less than the denominator is known as a proper fraction.

1/2, 2/3, 4/5, 5/6, 7/10, 9/11, 11/21, 35/45, ……….., etc., are proper fractions.

A fraction in which numerator is less than its denominator.

[\(\frac{3}{4}\), \(\frac{5}{7}\), \(\frac{11}{17}\) ...............]

Observe the following number line.

Consider the fraction \(\frac{5}{8}\)

It lies between 0 and 1 and its numerator is less than the denominator.

Fractions in which numerators are smaller than the denominators are called proper fractions.

6. Improper Fractions:

A fraction in which the denominator is smaller than or equal to its numerator is called an improper fraction. We can also say that a fraction with its numerator greater than or equal to the denominator is known as an improper fraction.

5/3, 9/5, 11/7, 17/8, 21/14, 19/15, …….., etc., are improper fractions.

A fraction in which numerator is equal to or greater than its denominator.

[\(\frac{15}{7}\), \(\frac{24}{13}\), \(\frac{5}{5}\) ...............]

Consider the fraction \(\frac{10}{8}\)

It is greater than one and its numerator is greater than the denominator.

Fractions in which numerators are greater than the denominators are called improper fractions.

The fraction \(\frac{8}{8}\) = 1, similarly \(\frac{3}{3}\) = 1, \(\frac{7}{7}\) = 1, \(\frac{11}{11}\) = 1 .............

Fractions in which numerators are equal to the denominators are also called improper fractions.

7. Mixed Fractions:

When an improper fraction is written as a combination of a whole number and a proper number, it becomes a mixed fraction or mixed number.

As: 6/5 = 5 + 1/5 = 5/5 + 1/5 = 1 + 1/5 = 1\(\frac{1}{5}\)

1\(\frac{1}{2}\), 1(\frac{1}{4}\), 2(\frac{3}{4}\), 3(\frac{5}{7}\), 5(\frac{1}{9}\), ……….., etc., are mixed fractions.

(All types of fraction may be categorized into three kinds, i.e., proper, improper and mixed fraction).

Mary ate 2 apples and Kerry ate \(\frac{1}{2}\) of an apple. They are 2 and \(\frac{1}{2}\) apples together.

2 apples + \(\frac{1}{2}\) apple = 2 + \(\frac{1}{2}\) apples                              = 2\(\frac{1}{2}\) apples	2 + \(\frac{1}{2}\) = 2\(\frac{1}{2}\)

2\(\frac{1}{2}\) is read as two and a half.

In 2\(\frac{1}{2}\); 2 is the whole part and \(\frac{1}{2}\) is the proper fraction.

Fractions like 3\(\frac{3}{4}\), 5\(\frac{6}{13}\), 1\(\frac{1}{4}\) ................. are called mixed numbers.

A mixed number is the sum of a whole number and a proper fraction.

To know more details about Types of Fractions Click Here.

Questions and Answers on Types of Fractions:

I. Write whether the following are proper fractions, improper fractions or mixed numbers.

(i) \(\frac{5}{9}\)

(ii) \(\frac{13}{17}\)

(iii) \(\frac{121}{7}\)

(iv) \(\frac{1}{1}\)

(v) 16\(\frac{2}{3}\)

Answer:

I. (i) Proper fraction

(ii) Proper fraction

(iii) Improper fraction

(iv) Improper fraction

(v) Mixed fraction

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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