Fractions

Basic Facts:      3      Counted parts
                     4       Total parts

* Numerator is the top number and represents the counted parts
* Denominator is the bottom number and it represents the total parts

* The denominator is the most important part of a fraction because it tell you the total parts that the object is divided in to.
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* You can easily determine how big a fraction is by comparing the numerator to the denominator.   By comparing the numerator and the denominator you can tell whether the fraction is closer to zero, closer to a half or closer to a whole.

* If your counted parts is very close to your total parts then it's almost a whole number

* If your counted parts is exactly half or close to half of the total parts then your fraction is closer to a half.

* If your counted parts less than half of your total parts then your fraction is closer to zero.
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Comparing Fractions :  3 Ways

1.  If the denominators are the same, compare the numerators as if they were whole numbers   3 <   5    3 is less than 5
                              8       8
 
2. If the numerators are the same, compare the denominators the opposite  way of whole numbers     4 > 4 
                                  6     8
This is true because 6 < 8 so you do the opposite.

3.  Cross multiplication:         12    3    >  1     6
                                             6        4

This is done by starting at the bottom of the first fraction, say 6 and multiplying by the second fractions numerator, say 1  then putting the answer  above the 1. Next you multiply the denominator of the second fraction by the numerator of the first fraction  4 x 3 and put the answer above that numerator.  Finally you compare the answers of 12 and the 6 and since 12 > 6   3/6 is greater than 1/4.