Fractions – How to do Fractions

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    Oh no, fractions!

     Why is it that students, and some adults, cringe at the word fractions?  After all, we deal with fractions every day!  From money to measurements and baking, everyone deals with fractions all the time.

     So why do we associate fractions with someone running their fingernails down the chalkboard?

     Because, fractions aren’t the easiest of concepts to learn. 

     Until now.

     I’m sure you have ordered pizza for your family or perhaps shared a pie together.   Did you take the opportunity to teach your child that the slice of pizza or piece of pie was a fraction?  When your child puts change in his or her piggy bank, does your child know that he or she is holding a fraction?  If you familiarize your child with real life fractions, the concept won’t seem so alien to them.

     Learning fractions the old fashioned way is a different story.  Fractions are synonymous with the fraction bar (i.e. the line in between the numbers).  The fraction line shows that the process of division is taking place (another good reason to brush up on those division skills).

     For example, in the fraction  8/4  we would say eight fourths, but the actual process would involve division.  In this case, the numbers would divide evenly.  Sometimes though, the numbers don’t divide evenly (e.g. ⅝) and we are left with a remainder.

     Fractions are made up of two parts.  The top number is called the numerator and the bottom number is called the denominator.  The numerator represents the part whereas the denominator represents the whole.

     When the numerator is larger than the denominator, we have an improper fraction.  For example, 8/4 means that 8 is the part and 2 is the whole.  Improper fractions are more than 1.                

     When the numerator is smaller than the denominator, we have a proper fraction. For example, ¾ is like saying 3 is the part and 4 is the whole.  Proper fractions, therefore, are less than 1.

   When the numerator and denominator are the same, such as 5/5 , it is like saying we have 5 parts of 5.  Therefore, the same numerator and denominator give us a fraction that is 1 whole, or 1.

     Since you cannot divide 0 into any number, the denominator can never be 0.  If the numerator is 0, the answer will always be 0.  It’s like saying zero divided by 4.  The answer will be zero.

     By understanding these basic fraction concepts, you will have a better chance to help your child at home.

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