Fraction (mathematics)

In mathematics, a fraction is a way of expressing a quantity based on an amount that is divided into a number of equal-sized parts. For example, each part of a cake split into four equal parts is called a quarter (and represented numerically as 1⁄4); two quarters is half the cake, and eight quarters would make two cakes.

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Mathematically, a fraction is a quotient of numbers, like 3⁄4,

Related Topics:
Quotient - Numbers

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or more generally, an element of a quotient field.

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In our cake example above, where a quarter is represented numerically as 1⁄4 the bottom number, (called the denominator) is the total number of equal parts making up the cake as a whole, and the top number (called the numerator) is the number of these parts we have. For example, the fraction 3⁄4 represents three quarters.

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The numerator and denominator are the terms of the fraction. The word "numerator" is related to the word "enumerate." To enumerate means to "tell how many"; thus the numerator tells us how many fractional parts we have in the indicated fraction. To denominate means to "give a name" or "tell what kind"; thus the denominator tells us what kind of parts we have (halves, thirds, fourths, etc.).

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The word is also used in related expressions, like continued fraction, see Special cases below.

Related Topics:
Continued fraction - Special cases

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