Numerators and Denominators
What are the parts of a fraction?
Goal:
Goal:
A synonym for the word "fraction" is "fragment" or "part." A fraction is a part of something. It is less than the something as a whole. If one is a whole, then a fraction is less than one. If an apple is the whole, then a bite of the apple is a fraction.
Look at the graham cracker. It has three parts. If you break off one part to eat, you've eaten one third.
You write a fraction like 1/2, 2/6, and 4/8
or
\(\frac{1}{2} \), \(\frac{2}{6}\), and \(\frac{4}{8} \)
| In \(\frac{2}{6}\), the 6 represents the whole. |
| In \(\frac{1}{2}\), the 2 represents the whole. |
| In \(\frac{4}{8}\), the 8 represents the whole. |
| You say one half for \(\frac{1}{2}\). |
| You say two sixths for \(\frac{2}{6}\). |
| You say four eights for \(\frac{4}{8}\). |
| You say two thirds for \(\frac{2}{3}\). |
| You say three fourths for \(\frac{3}{4}\). |
When you write \(\frac{1}{2}\), the number 1 is called the numerator and 2 is called the denominator.
Question
In \(\frac{4}{8}\), which number is the numerator, and which is the denominator?