What is a Proper fraction?

Definition

A fraction whose quantity is less than the whole quantity is called a proper fraction.

Introduction

Let’s know the meaning of proper fraction before learning its concept. The meaning of proper fraction can be understood from the meanings of the words “Proper” and “Fraction”. So, let’s know them individually.

1. The word “Proper” means acceptable, true, right, appropriate, and so on.
2. The word “Fraction” means a part of the whole quantity.

Now, let’s understand the definition of the proper fraction by combining the meanings of them.

A quantity can be split into any number of equal parts, and it is acceptable to consider either one or more parts from the whole quantity as a fraction, but it is not proper to consider all the parts as a fraction, because the sum of all parts is equal to the whole quantity.

According to the fundamental definition of fraction, the quantity of a fraction is always less than the whole quantity. So, a fraction whose quantity is less than the whole quantity is called a proper fraction.

Examples

Let’s clearly learn what a proper fraction is from some simple understandable examples.

Consider a circle and split it into as many equal parts as you want. Here, the circle is divided into three equal parts and each part is basically called a fraction.

To understand the concept of proper fraction, a part is separated from the circle and the remaining part is the addition of two parts of the circle.

1. The part on the left hand side is a part of circle and the addition of two parts on the right hand side is also a part of circle. So, each part is basically called a fraction of circle.
2. The quantity of fraction on the left hand side is less than the quantity of whole circle. So, the fraction on the left hand side is called the proper fraction of circle. Similarly, the quantity of fraction on the right hand side is also less than the quantity of whole circle. So, the fraction on the right hand side is also called the proper fraction of circle.

Representation

Learn how to express the proper fractions in mathematical form.

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