Lesson 1
Vocabulary
When you look at a fraction there are usually two numbers, one number on top of another number, divided by a bar, called the fraction bar. Look at the fraction to the right. It shows a number 1 over the number 5.
The top number is called the numerator.
The bottom number is called the denominator. To help me remember, I think "down" and "denominator" both start with the letter "d". The denominator is down, under the numerator.
The top number is called the numerator.
The bottom number is called the denominator. To help me remember, I think "down" and "denominator" both start with the letter "d". The denominator is down, under the numerator.
So what do "numerator" and "denominator" mean? If you look at the picture to the left, it shows a circle divided into 5 equal parts. The denominator is the total number of parts. In this case the denominator would be 5.
In the picture you can see that 1 of the 5 parts is shaded. The part of the whole that we are looking at is the number that goes on top; it is the numerator. If we are looking at how many parts are shaded, the numerator would be 1.
So the fraction of this circle that is shaded is 1/5.
In the picture you can see that 1 of the 5 parts is shaded. The part of the whole that we are looking at is the number that goes on top; it is the numerator. If we are looking at how many parts are shaded, the numerator would be 1.
So the fraction of this circle that is shaded is 1/5.
The video below reviews vocabulary and basic fractions. Make sure to pay attention to what the numerator and denominator represent:
Now it's time for you to try. Click the link to Fractions Made Easy below for some practice.
Instructions: Click start on the first page. Read through the tutorial, clicking next when you're ready to move on. Answer the practice questions and be careful! The last few can be tricky! Read the instructions on the pages carefully. When you get to the final purple screen, close the window to come back to this page.
Fractions Made Easy
Instructions: Click start on the first page. Read through the tutorial, clicking next when you're ready to move on. Answer the practice questions and be careful! The last few can be tricky! Read the instructions on the pages carefully. When you get to the final purple screen, close the window to come back to this page.
Fractions Made Easy