10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
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Fractions overview
What is a fraction?
A fraction represents part of a whole. Here are some
fraction models.
Try some practice problems!
Understand fractions: area models
Fractions of a set
3
Fractions can also represent parts of a set or group. For example,
4
of these circles are shaded in.
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
Try some practice problems!
Fractions of a group
Fraction words: numerator and denominator
In a fraction, the denominator tells you how many equal parts the
whole is split into. The numerator tells you how many of those parts
you have. The denominator is the bottom number, and the numerator
is the top number.
5
For example, in the fraction , 6 is the denominator. The model
6
shows 6 equal parts in the whole. The numerator is 5. The model
shows 5 equal parts shaded.
Fraction names
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
When you split a whole into equal parts, those parts have names.
Here are some of those names.
Try some practice problems!
Make halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and eighths
Equivalent fractions
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
Sometimes, two fractions show the same amount. Those fractions
1 2
are called equivalent fractions. For example, the fractions and
4 8
are equivalent. They show the same part of a whole.
To find an equivalent fraction without a model, multiply or divide the
top and bottom of a fraction by the same number.
2
For example, if you multiply the top and bottom of by 3, you get the
8
6 2
equivalent fraction . If you divide the top and bottom of by 2, you
24 8
1
get the equivalent fraction .
4
Try some practice problems!
Find equivalent fractions using area models: two models
Comparing fractions
You can compare two fractions to see which fraction is greater. If the
fractions have the same denominator, then the greater fraction has
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
4 3
the greater numerator. For example, is greater than .
5 5
If two fractions have the same numerator, the fraction with the
3
smaller denominator is the greater fraction. For example, is greater
4
3
than .
6
You can also compare fractions with unlike denominators by writing
the fractions using a common denominator.
Try some practice problems!
Compare fractions with like numerators or denominators using models
Related
Adding fractions
Skill
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
You can add fractions. Look at the models to see how to Skills
add fractions with like denominators. Understand fractions: area models
Find equivalent fractions using area
models: two models
Add fractions with like denominators
using area models
Subtract fractions with like
denominators using area models
Multiply two fractions
Divide two fractions
Lessons
You can also add fractions with unlike denominators by making
equivalent fractions with like denominators. Understanding fractions
Equivalent fractions
Adding fractions with like
Try some practice problems! denominators
Subtracting fractions with like
denominators
Multiplying fractions
Dividing fractions and mixed numbers
Add fractions with like denominators using area models
Subtracting fractions
You can subtract fractions, too. Look at the models to see how to
subtract fractions with like denominators.
You can also subtract fractions with unlike denominators by making
equivalent fractions with like denominators.
Try some practice problems!
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
Subtract fractions with like denominators using area models
Multiplying fractions
You can also multiply fractions. To multiply fractions, multiply the
2
numerators, and then multiply the denominators. Let's try it with ×
3
1
.
5
2 1 2 × 1 2
× = =
3 5 3 × 5 15
You can multiply a fraction and a whole number by writing the whole
number as a fraction with a denominator of 1.
Try some practice problems!
Multiply two fractions
Dividing fractions
If you need to divide by a fraction, you can multiply by its reciprocal
instead. You can find the reciprocal of a fraction by switching the
1 3 3
numerator and denominator. Let's try it for ÷ . The reciprocal of
4 7 7
7
is .
3
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
1 3 1 7 7
÷ = × =
4 7 4 3 12
You can divide fractions by whole numbers and divide whole
numbers by fractions using the same steps. Just be sure to write the
whole number as a fraction with a denominator of 1.
Try some practice problems!
Divide two fractions
Simplest form
When you solve problems with fractions, you may want to write your
answer in simplest form. A fraction is in simplest form if the top and
bottom have no common factors other than 1. In other words, you
cannot divide the top and bottom any further and have them still be
whole numbers. Simplest form can also be called lowest terms.
2
For example, the fraction is in simplest form. There's no number
7
that divides both 2 and 7, other than 1.
6
The fraction is not in simplest form. You can divide both the
15
numerator and denominator by 3.
6 2
The fraction is equivalent to . There's no number that divides
15 5
6 2
both 2 and 5, other than 1. So, the simplest form of is .
15 5
Try some practice problems!
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
Write fractions in lowest terms
Mixed numbers and improper fractions
A mixed number is a number made up of a whole number and a
1
fraction together. For example, the number 3 is a mixed number.
4
An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater
13
than or equal to the denominator. For example, is an improper
4
fraction, since 13 is larger than 4.
You can use mixed numbers and improper fractions to show the
1
same amount. For example, you may have noticed that 3 is the
4
13
same amount as .
4
Try some practice problems!
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10/18/23, 12:25 AM IXL | Fractions overview
Identify mixed numbers
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