When it comes to understanding elementary mathematics, fractions play an important role. They play an important role in our everyday lives such as slicing a cake into equal pieces or telling the time. Every fraction includes a numerator and denominator. Interestingly, there are 7 types of fractions in mathematics. However, children might face difficulty in understanding what they are and how to solve them. To make things easier, we have covered the different types of fractions with examples.
What is a Fraction?
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In simple words, fractions are a part of a whole object. The fraction of anything indicates how many parts you have when the thing or object is divided into multiple pieces. Fractions are generally expressed as the number of equal parts divided by the total number of parts.
Types of Fractions with Examples
1. Proper Fraction
A proper fraction is when the numerator is less than the denominator. In other words, the number of equal parts counter is less than the total number of parts. This type of less than on the number line.
2. Improper Fraction
An improper fraction is when the numerator is greater than the denominator. Accordingly, these fractions are greater than one. They lie on the number line beyond one.
3. Mixed Fractions
Mixed fractions, also known as mixed numbers, are made up of a whole number and a proper fraction. We can obtain the quotient and remainder by dividing the numerator by the denominator. In this way, we can write an improper fraction as a mixed fraction.
4. Unlike Fractions
Unlike fractions have different denominators that have different values. In other words, unlike fractions have the same numerator and different denominators.
Example: 2/3, 2/5, 2/7
5. Like Fractions
Like fractions have the same denominator but different numerators.
Example: 2/4, 5/4, 6/4 are all like fractions
6. Unit Fractions
Unit fractions, also known as unique fractions, have 1 as a numerator.
Example: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
7. Equivalent fractions
Equivalent fractions give us the same value when we simplify them.
Example: 2/4 and 3/6 are equivalent fractions because they give 1/2 when simplified.
FAQs
The 7 types of fractions in mathematics include proper fraction, improper fraction, mixed fraction, like fractions, unlike fractions, equivalent fractions, and unit fractions.
Mixed fractions have a whole number and a proper fraction. We can obtain the quotient and remainder by dividing the numerator by the denominator and writing an improper fraction as a mixed fraction.
A mixed fraction example is 2 (1/7).
Did you like learning about the 7 types of fractions? Keep on reading our blogs to learn more about the basic concepts of Maths!