The circle to the left can be used to

represent one whole. We can divide this

circle into equal parts as shown below.

This circle has been divided

into 2 equal parts.

This circle has been divided

into 3 equal parts.

This circle has been divided

into 4 equal parts.

Definition: A fraction names part of a region or part of a group. The top number of a fraction is
called its numerator and the bottom part is its denominator.
So a fraction is the number of shaded parts divided by the number of equal parts as shown below:
number of shaded parts
number of equal parts

numerator
denominator

Note the fraction bar means to divide the numerator by the denominator.

Equivalent fractions are fractions that name the same

amount.

2
4

4
8

Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Divide the numerator and denominator by the same number

(it has to be a common factor to work with division)
We can choose any number to multiply
by. Lets multiply by 2.

3 x2
6
=
10
5 x2

So, 3/5 is equivalent to

6/10.

If you have larger numbers, you can make equivalent

fractions using division. Divide by a common factor.

4
28 7
=
5
35 7

In this example, we can

divide both numbers by 7.

28/35 is equivalent to 4/5.

Fractions are in simplest form when the numerator and

denominator do not have any common factors besides 1.

Examples of fractions that are in simplest form:

4
5

2
11

3
8

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) of

the numerator and denominator.
Divide both numbers by the GCF.

20 4 =
28 4
20
28

5
7
20: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20

28: 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28

1 x 20

1 x 28

Common Factors: 1, 2, 4

2 x 10

2 x 14

GCF: 4

4x5

4x7
We will divide by 4.

Simplest
Form

To order fractions with like denominators,

look at the numerators and compare them two
at a time.
To order fractions with unlike denominators,
use the LCD to write them as equivalent
fractions with like denominators.
Then compare two fractions at a time.

Order two-thirds, eight-thirds and five-thirds

from least to greatest. Which is the greatest?

2
3
Smallest

8
3
Greatest

5
3
2 < 5 < 8
3
3
3

5
6

>

3
4

6 x 4 = 24
20 > 18

x4

20
24

18
24

x6

Another way to compare fractions is to find the LCM of both

denominators.

Use the LCM as the new denominator in the equivalent

fractions.

9, 18, 27, 36, 45

5
9

7
<
12

12, 24, 36, 48, 60

20 < 21
x4

20
36

21
36

x3

A proper fraction has a numerator that is less than its

denominator.
An improper fraction has a numerator that is more than or
equal to its denominator.

A mixed number shows the sum of a whole number and a

proper fraction.

Proper Fractions
5
8

Improper Fractions

7
10

12
3
Mixed Numbers

3
5

17
20

9
9

Multiply the denominator of the fraction by the

whole number.
Add the product to the numerator.
The resulting sum is the numerator of the
improper fraction.
The denominator remains the same.

2
3

14
3

4 3 + 2 = 14

If you have an improper fraction, you can

divide the denominator into the numerator.
The quotient becomes the whole number part
of the mixed number.
The remainder is the numerator of the fraction.
The divisor is the denominator of the fraction.

13
5
denominator

2
5 13
10
3
3
5

whole number

numerator