Introduction to Fraction
3 Minutes
Fractions for kids: learn what a fraction is and understand numerators and denominators using sliced bread. A short maths lesson in English.
- Arshan packing sliced bread at a bakery
- Cutting a loaf into six pieces to show parts like 1/6 and 2/6
- Identifying the numerator above the line and denominator below
What this lesson teaches
A fraction is a mathematical way to represent parts of a whole object that has been divided into portions. It shows how many pieces are taken out of the total number of pieces available.
How fractions work
- When one full bread is cut into six equal pieces, each single piece represents one out of six, written as 1/6.
- Taking two pieces from the six means having two out of six, written as 2/6.
- Taking three, four, or five pieces gives 3/6, 4/6, or 5/6 respectively.
- Taking all six pieces out of six gives 6/6, which equals one whole bread.
Parts of a fraction
In a fraction, numbers are written with one value above a line and another value below it. The number written above the line is called the numerator, which represents the portion or number of pieces being taken. The number written below the line is called the denominator, which represents the total number of equal pieces the whole object was divided into.
Example from the bakery
At the bakery, bread is sold either as a full loaf or packed in smaller portions. A full loaf of bread is cut into six pieces to make smaller packs for customers. Instead of simply labeling a pack as two pieces, it can be written as the fraction 2/6 to show that it contains two pieces out of the total six. In the same way, a pack of four pieces can be labeled as 4/6 to show four pieces out of six.
Key terms
- Fraction: A mathematical way of writing a part of a whole.
- Numerator: The number above the line that shows the specific portion or pieces taken.
- Denominator: The number below the line that shows the total number of parts in the whole.
- Whole: The complete item, represented when all divided pieces are taken together, such as 6/6 for six pieces out of six.