What is the numerator of a fraction?
The numerator is the number right above the line in a fraction. For instance, in the fraction 3/5, the numerator is 3.
The numerator of a fraction shows how many parts we have out of the whole, while the denominator below the line shows how many equal parts there are in total.
For example, the fraction ⅜ shows that something (let’s say a pizza) has been divided into eight parts or pieces, but only three are left. Perhaps someone has eaten the other five pieces of the pizza, so only three remain from the original eight pieces.
If the numerator is 1, the fraction is called a unit fraction.
What is a denominator?
The denominator is the number below the line in a fraction. It shows the total amount of parts that something has been divided into.
When do children learn about fractions in primary school?
In Year 2, children need to be able to identify a half, a quarter, and three quarters. These are basic fractions, which you can use simple visual aids to help explain. For example, the circle below shows half as half of a circle and as the fraction 1/2.
In Year 3, children are taught about fraction notation; they learn how to use a numerator, denominator, and fraction bar to write a fraction. In addition, they find out that the top number in a fraction is a numerator, and the bottom number is a denominator. Using diagrams can help children understand fraction notation with a visual representation.
For Years 3 and 4, children find out about equivalent fractions. For example, they learn that a half is the same as two quarters or four eighths. A great way to help children understand equivalent fractions is with a fraction wall that shows the concept in a brightly colored visual way.
From Year 4 to Year 6, children learn about the relationship between fractions and decimals. They also need to understand how to simplify fractions using division.
Fun facts about fractions
- The number on the top of a fraction (the numerator) does not have to be smaller than the number on the bottom (the denominator). However, if the numerator is greater than the denominator, it is an improper fraction. An improper fraction can be simplified to a mixed number.
- If the numerator is 0, the entire fraction becomes 0.
- When the numerator and denominator are the same, the fraction becomes 1 because the sum of the parts is the same as the sum of the total.
- A fraction with a numerator of 1 is called a unit fraction.
- Fractions and decimals are both ways of representing numbers smaller than 1.
