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Fractions: Parts of a Whole
A fraction describes equal parts of one whole: the numerator counts selected parts and the denominator counts all equal parts.
How it works
The denominator defines the size of each equal part. The numerator tells how many of those parts are being considered. The same idea works for a bar, a number line or a set of objects, provided the parts are equal.
Worked example
A bar has 8 equal parts and 3 are shaded. What fraction is shaded?
- Count all equal parts: 8, so the denominator is 8.
- Count shaded parts: 3, so the numerator is 3.
- Write the numerator above the denominator.
The shaded fraction is 3/8.
Try it now
These questions come from the same validated skill generator used by the game.
Common mistakes
- Counting shaded parts as the denominator.
- Comparing pieces from wholes of different sizes.
- Using unequal pieces as if they were equal fractional parts.
Challenge
Draw two different models that each show 3/4, then explain what stays the same.
Questions learners ask
What does the denominator mean?
It is the number of equal parts into which the whole is divided.
Can a fraction be greater than one?
Yes. Its numerator is then greater than its denominator, such as 7/4.