Fraction: Meaning & Types of Fractions JSS1 Mathematics Lesson Note

A fraction is a portion or part of a whole. Imagine a whole as a complete object.

For example, the pie below is a whole that can be cut into sectors (or slices) representing different fractions as follows: 

Whole (1) 

Half (1/2)             

Three-quarters (3/4)

Types of fractions

(a) Common or regular fractions: ½, ¼, ¾, 3/8 and 5/8 are called fractions. One number over another. “Numerator” is the term given to the number on the top part of a fraction. The denominator is the term given to the number at the bottom part of a fraction.

(b) Decimal fractions are called decimals example, 0.897, 7.864, etc.

(c) Proper fraction: the numerator is less than the denominator. e.g., 2/5, ¼, etc.

(d) An improper fraction, the numerator is greater than the denominator, e.g., 8/3, 12/5, etc.

Changing an improper fraction to a mixed number

Example 1: Change 15/4 to a mixed number.

 Example 2: Change to an improper fraction.

Equivalent Fraction

Fractions that have the same value are said to be equivalent. Example are ½, 2/4, 3/6, 4/8, 5/10, 6/12 etc.

Example 1: Convert 2/9 into an equivalent fraction with the denominator 54

Solution:

2/9 = /54 (divide the second denominator by the first denominator to obtain the multiplier.)

54/9 = 6

Therefore, use the 6 to multiply = 12/54

2/9 = 12/54

Example 2: Find the missing part of these fractions: /10 = 12/= = 20/50 = /80

Solution

Step 1: Use 20/50 as your reference fraction because both its numerator and denominator are given. 20/50 = 2/5

10/5 (use the 5 of the denominator to get your numerator of /10) = 2

Therefore, use 2 to multiply both 2/5 = 4/10.

Step 2: Use the 2 to divide the numerator of 12/       to get 6, and use the 6 to multiply 2/5 = 12/30

Step 3: Use 5 to divide the denominator of 80 to get 16

Therefore, use 16 to multiply 2 / 5 = 32 80.

So 4/10 = 12/30 = 20/50 = 32/80.

Practice Exercise

1.   Express each of the following fractions as mixed numbers: (a) 9/5   (b) 15/2
2.   Express each of the following fractions as an improper fraction: (a) 11/2 , (b) 43/8

3.   Copy and complete each of the following: 3/5  =   /15 (b) 4/7 = 12/y = y/35 = y/49 = 44/y where y =