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.