Fractions are written with 2 numbers.
The bottom number is called the denominator.
The number on the bottom of a fraction is the number of pieces there are in the whole.
The denominator of this fraction is 2, because there are 2 pieces in all.
A great way to remember that the denominator is on the bottom is to think about the direction down.
Fractions are numbers that represent part of a whole. This is one whole circle.
- 4 pieces of the circle are green.
- 4/4 represents the whole circle.
One Whole
A fraction with the same number for the numerator and the denominator is equal to 1 whole.
- The square is partitioned into sixths.
- There are 6/6 in the whole.
- 6/6 of the square is colored purple.
- 6 sixths is the whole square.
What fraction of the circle is shaded? What does the denominator represent?
3/8 of the circle.
8 is the denominator. It represents 8 equal pieces that make up the whole.
What fraction of the rectangle is NOT shaded? What does the denominator represent?
4/6 of the circle.
6 is the denominator. It represents 6 equal pieces that make up the whole.
Practice Problems
True or False?
1/3 of the shape is shaded.
What fraction represents the unshaded portion of the pentagon?
7. How many more fifths of the circle would need to be shaded for it to represent the fraction 5/5?
