Numerator and denominator
35
- Numerator (top): how many parts are selected — here, 3.
- Denominator (bottom): how many equal parts make the whole — here, 5.
Fractions in pictures
Imagine a chocolate bar divided into 6 equal pieces. If you eat 2 pieces, you have eaten 2/6 of the bar.
Proper and improper fractions
Proper fraction
The numerator is smaller than the denominator.
⅔ is less than 1.
Improper fraction
The numerator is equal to or larger than the denominator.
5/4 is greater than 1.
Remember: the denominator cannot be zero. You cannot split a whole into zero equal parts.