Learning FractionsBasic Types of Fractions and Their Beautiful WorldHere we are all set to learning fractions and knowing about them. So wouldn’t it be a good idea to set the expectations from this article right here. Well here it goes. In this session you will learn about various types of fractions and some nuances of dealing with them. Fractions can be broadly categorized into three groups as follows
Let’s get deep into the subject and understand how to identify each of them and their properties. Proper Fractions Proper fractions are those that have a larger number as denominator and a smaller number as the numerator. In other words if the numerator is smaller than the denominator then the fraction is categorized as proper fraction. Let’s take an example to understand this better. Let’s consider that you have 20 chocolates in a pack. 16 of them are to be given to your friends. The rest is available for you. So what fraction of the total is your share? That’s 4 out of 16 chocolates, written as 4/16. Now if you observe in the fraction above the numerator is 4 whereas the denominator is 16. Since 4 is less than 16 therefore in this case the numerator is less than the denominator. Thus this is a proper fraction. Improper Fractions Now that we know the definition of proper fractions, it’s easier to guess the definition of improper fractions. So no marks for guessing it right dude! To put things in place improper fractions are described as the ones in which the numerator is equal to or greater than the denominator. Thus when you observe that the numerator of a certain fraction happens to be more than that of the denominator then be rest assured that you have an improper fraction at sight. Now here’s a small puzzle for you. Consider a fraction where the denominator is 6 and the numerator is unknown. You are given two options 4 and 7 as potential numerators. Which would be the option such that the resulting fraction becomes an improper fraction? If you answered 7 then I must say you are a fast learner. Now let me take the privilege of explaining to the rest of them. The condition for a fraction to be improper is that the numerator should be equal to or greater than the denominator. In the puzzle the denominator was 6. So the numerator has to be a number greater than 6. That’s 7 in this case. Mixed Fractions As the name suggests mixed fractions are nothing but an amalgamation of a whole number and a proper fraction. It just one more way of representing an improper fraction. For example the fraction one and a half can be represented by whole number 1 and the fraction ½. That’s about it! Didn't I tell you learning fractions is easy? The basic types of fractions are mentioned above and all the fraction operations you carry out will involve one or more of these fraction types.
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