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Thursday, December 25, 2008

How to read a fraction?

How to read a fraction?
In a fraction, the denominator tells us how many parts the whole is divided into, and the numerator tells us how many of those parts we're dealing with.

  • We can read this fraction as four-fifths, four over five, or four divided by five.
The number above the bar is called the numerator, and the number below the bar is called the denominator.

Proper fraction: numerator is less than the denominator. (Ex. 1/2, 2/5)
Improper fraction: numerator is greater than or equal to denominator. (Ex. 3/2, 8/5)
Mixed number: whole number and a fraction.
(Ex. 2 3/5, 4 6/7)
Equivalent fractions: fractions that represent the same number. (Ex. 1/3=2/6=3/9)
Reciprocal: the multiplicative inverse of a number. For a fraction, it's obtained by "turning the fraction over".
(Ex. 3/7 and 7/3)

Examples:
1/2 a half
11/16 eleven sixteenth
1/3 a/one third
4 2/5 four and two fifths
1/4 a/one quarter
1/16 a/one sixteenth
236/407 two hundred thirty six over four hundred and seven
0.3 nought point three
0.527 nought point three seven five
8.9 eight point nine
1.5 one and a half
2.5 two and a half
  • With fractions below 1, we use of before nouns. Half is a little bit different.
    three quarters of an houreight tenth of a milea fifth of students
  • For decimals below 1, you can use of or a plural noun.
    nought point seven of a mile = nought point seven miles
  • Fractions and decimals over 1 are normally followed by plural nouns.
    One and a half hours2.7 millimeters
  • To express amounts and measurements, use singular verbs with fractions and decimals.
    3.6 kilometer is about 2 miles.
  • But to express numbers of people or things, use plural verbs.
    Half the students are tired.A fifth of the tickets have been sold.
  • We can use a or one. One is more formal.
    a hundred (less formal)one hundred (more formal)
  • A can only be used at the beginning of a number.
    a/one hundredthree thousands one hundred , three thousands a hundred

8 comments:

  1. 0.527 nought point three seven five, here's a little mistake...it could be edit to be right sentence. however, nicely talk.

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  2. good job but how about 6 2.3 ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Replies
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    2. 2 1/8 inches: two and an eighth inches

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  4. why eleven sixteenth but not eleven sixteenths. Thanks so much :)

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  5. What a fantabulous post this has been. Never seen this kind of useful post. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much. website mitac.org.au

    ReplyDelete
  6. How do we read 2/102, 2/103, 2/104, etc.

    ReplyDelete