Fractions in Words

Overview

When we divide shapes up, we can find how many parts make up the whole. When we divide things fairly, the parts are EQUAL. We can decide how many PARTS make up each WHOLE shape.

Sometimes we look at some of the PARTS that make up a WHOLE shape. These are known as FRACTIONS. Look at the example below:

Three PARTS are shaded. There are SIX parts that make up ONE whole rectangle.

Take a look at the examples below. Some of the shapes are EQUAL. Some of the shapes are UNEQUAL. In order to be equal, the pieces must be the same size.

The first column shows equal parts. We could share those pieces fairly. The rectangles and the square are divided into TWO PARTS. TWO parts make up the WHOLE shape. If we shade in ONE part, we will show that ONE HALF is shaded, or ONE out of TWO PARTS.

The circle is divided into EIGHT PARTS. EIGHT parts make up the whole circle. If we shade in ONE part, we will show that ONE EIGHTH is shaded, or ONE out of EIGHT PARTS.

The other side shows unequal parts. These pieces would not be shared in a fair way.

Let’s take a look at this example.
We will decide how many parts make up the whole shape.

This square is divided into equal parts.

How many parts make up the whole square?
Four parts make up the whole square.
There are FOUR parts.

How many parts are shaded?
ONE part is shaded.
ONE FOURTH of the square is shaded.

Let’s take a look at this next example.
We will decide again how many parts make up the whole shape.

This circle is divided into equal parts.

How many parts make up the whole circle?
SIX parts make up the whole circle.
There are SIX parts.

How many parts are shaded?
FOUR PARTS are shaded.
FOUR SIXTHS of the circle is shaded.

Here is another one!

This diamond is divided into parts.

How many parts make up the whole diamond?
Four parts make up the whole diamond.
There are FOUR parts.

How many parts are shaded?
TWO PARTS are shaded.
TWO FOURTHS of the diamond is shaded.

Let’s work on another one!
We will decide how many parts make up the whole shape first.

This circle is divided into parts.

How many parts make up the whole circle?
TEN parts make up the whole circle.
There are TEN parts.

How many parts are shaded?
THREE PARTS are shaded.
THREE TENTHS of the circle is shaded.

Before we move on to practice questions, make sure you know what a fraction looks like and the names of numbers in a fraction.

For example: 

The number 1 on the top, is called the numerator.
The number 4 on the bottom, is called the denominator.

We will talk more about this in detail in later grades, but for now – you are ready to try the practice questions below!

Practice Question 1

What fraction shows how many parts are shaded?

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Practice Question 2

Let’s try another! What fraction shows how many parts are shaded?

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Practice Question 3

What fraction shows how many parts are shaded?

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Practice Question 4

What fraction shows how many parts are shaded?

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Practice Question 5

What fraction shows how many parts are shaded?

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Take the quiz below that tests your knowledge on fractions.