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.

Types of Fractions - 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.

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

Types of Fractions - Number Line

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.

Mixed Fractions

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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