What is a fraction?

Definition

A part of whole is called a fraction.

Introduction

A quantity can be split into any number of equal parts and each portion of them is called a fraction.

Examples

Firstly, let’s understand what a fraction is, from some simple examples.

1. Take a circle and split it into as many equal parts as you want. The circle is divided into six equal parts in this example.
2. Separate a part from them. Now, one part is on the left hand side and the five parts are on the right hand side.

Now, the part on the left hand side is not a whole circle and the part on the right hand side is also not a whole circle because they both are parts of the circle. So, each part is called a fraction.

Let’s see another example to understand the concept of fraction much clear.

1. Consider a rectangle shape and split it into as many equal parts as you wish. In this example, the rectangle is divided into three equal parts.
2. Separate a piece from them. Now, one part is on the left hand side and the two parts are on the right hand side.

The part on the left hand side is a rectangle but it is not the rectangle that we have considered. The part on the right hand side is a square. However, they both are parts of the rectangle that we have taken. Now, each part is called a fraction.

Classification

Let’s learn the different types of fractions with understandable examples and also learn how to express them in mathematical form.

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