The parts of the fraction are divided into three that are: its numerator, a horizontal or diagonal bar and its denominator.
Therefore, if you want to denote the fraction "a quarter", the notation is 1/4, where the number above the bar is the numerator and the one below is the denominator.
When you talk about fractions, you are really talking about the parts into which the whole of something must be divided.
The numbers that make up a fraction are integers, that is, the numerator and the denominator are integers with the exception that the denominator must always be different from zero.
Definition and Examples of Fractions
The formal mathematical definition of fractions is: the set formed by all elements of the form p / q, where "p" and "q" are integers with "q" other than zero.
This set is called the set of rational numbers. Rational numbers are also called broken numbers.
Given any rational number in its decimal expression, you can always get the fraction that generates it.
Examples of the use of fractions
The basic way in which they teach a child the concept of a fraction is by dividing the pieces of an object, or a set of objects. For example:
-If you want to divide a circular birthday cake between 8 children such that all children are given the same amount of cake.
You start by dividing the cake into 8 equal parts as in the figure below. Then each child is given a piece of cake.
The way to represent the fraction (the slice) of cake each child got is 1/8, where the numerator is 1, since each child received only one piece of cake and the denominator is 8, since the cake was cut into 8 equal parts.
-María bought 5 candies for her two children. He gave Juan 2 candies and Rosa gave 3 candies.
The total number of candies is 5 and 5 must be distributed. According to Maria's distribution, Juan got 2 candies out of 5 in total, so the fraction of candies he received is 2/5.
Since Rosa was given 3 candies out of a total of 5 candies, the fraction of candies Rosa received was 3/5.
-Roberto and José must paint a rectangular fence which is divided into 17 vertical boards of equal dimensions as shown in the figure below. If Roberto painted 8 boards, what fraction of the fence did José paint?
The total number of vertical boards of equal size on the fence is 17. The fraction of the fence that Roberto painted is obtained using the number of boards painted by Roberto as the numerator of the fraction and the denominator is the total number of boards, that is, 17.
Then the fraction of the fence painted by Roberto was 8/17. To complete the painting of the entire fence, it is necessary to paint 9 more boards.
These 9 boards were painted by José. This indicates that the fraction of the fence that José painted was 9/17.
References
- Almaguer, G. (2002). Mathematics 1. Editorial Limusa.
- Bussell, L. (2008). Pizza in parts: fractions! Gareth Stevens.
- Cofré, A., & Tapia, L. (1995). How to Develop Mathematical Logical Reasoning. University Publishing House.
- From sea. (1962). Mathematics for the workshop. Reverte.
- Lira, ML (1994). Simon and mathematics: mathematics text for second grade: student's book. Andres Bello.
- Palmer, CI, & Bibb, SF (1979). Practical mathematics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and slide rule (reprint ed.). Reverte.