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🍫 What Fractions Mean

Discover what the two numbers in a fraction really tell you — how many equal parts a whole is split into, and how many of those parts you have.

3
lessons
~20 min
to learn
🔢 Math
subject
Ages 6–12
level
Start the course →

What you’ll learn

  1. Top and BottomUnderstand that the denominator counts equal parts and the numerator counts how many parts you have, and read simple fractions.A fraction describes part of a whole using two numbers. The bottom number, the denominator, tells how many equal parts the whole is cut into. The top number, the numerator, tells how many of those parts you have. So 3/8 means 8 equal parts with 3 of them shaded.
  2. Unit FractionsRecognise unit fractions (1 on top) and understand that more parts make each part smaller.A unit fraction has 1 as its numerator and means exactly one equal part, like 1/2 or 1/4. The more parts a whole is split into, the smaller each part becomes, so 1/2 is bigger than 1/3, which is bigger than 1/4. Fractions can also be placed on a number line between 0 and 1.
  3. Fractions EverywhereUse fractions to describe part of a group and connect fraction words to fraction symbols.Fractions describe part of a group too, not just one object — 6 of 12 eggs is one half. Every fraction can be written in words or symbols, so 'two thirds' is 2/3. From half a sandwich to a quarter of an hour, fractions show up everywhere in everyday life.

Questions this course answers

In a fraction, what does the bottom number tell you?

The bottom number (denominator) says how many equal parts the whole is split into.

The top number of a fraction is called the...

The top number is the numerator. It counts how many parts you have.

A bar is cut into 8 equal parts and 3 are shaded. What fraction is shaded?

8 equal parts and 3 shaded is written 3/8 — three eighths.

Which of these is a unit fraction?

A unit fraction has 1 on top. 1/5 is a unit fraction — one single part.

Which single part is the BIGGEST?

One half is the biggest because the whole is split into the fewest parts, so each part is larger.

An egg carton holds 12 eggs. Six eggs is what fraction of the carton?

6 out of 12 is half the carton, because 6 is half of 12.

Grounded in trusted sources

  • Khan Academy
  • BBC Bitesize — Maths
  • NCTM
  • Math is Fun

Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.

Related Math courses

🍕Adding Fractions with the Same Denominator⚖️Comparing Fractions🔺What Makes a Triangle a Triangle➖What Subtraction Means📐Working with Angles💷Writing Pounds and Pence✏️Writing Simple Fractions💰Personal Finance & Budgeting

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