Fractions

A fraction consists of three parts. The fraction bar in the middle and a number above and below the fraction bar.

 

$$ \large \frac{2}{8} $$

 

The number below the fraction bar is called the denominator. It tells what we are calculating with. In the shown fraction, it is eighths we are calculating with.

The number above the fraction bar is called the numerator and tells how many eighths there are. In our fraction there are thus two eighths.

 

Fraction, decimal number and percent

A fraction is also a division. If we look at the fraction again, it says 2 divided by 8. Every fraction has a decimal number, which is the result of the division.

 

$$ \large \frac{2}{8}=0.25 $$

 

The decimal number can be converted into percent:

 

$$ \large 0.25 = 25\% $$

 

When you buy a pizza, it is cut into 8 slices.

A whole pizza is therefore:

 

$$ \large \frac{8}{8} $$

 

If you eat two slices, you have eaten \(\ \frac{2}{8} \ \) and you have \(\ \frac{6}{8}\ \) left.

 

A part of something

Fractions, decimals and percent are all expressions of "a part of something". In the figure here you can see that

 

$$ \large \frac{2}{8}=25\% $$

 

You can also see that: \(\ \large \frac{8}{8}\ \) is the whole. (100%)

 

You can see that: \(\ \large \frac{8}{8}-\frac{2}{8}=\frac{6}{8} \)