What is fraction?

A fraction shows part of a whole. This whole can be a region or a collection. The word
fraction is derived from the Latin word "fractio" which means 'to break'. The Egyptians,
being the earliest civilization to study fractions, used fractions to resolve their mathematical
problems, which included the division of food, supplies, and the absence of a bullion
currency.
In Ancient Rome, fractions were only written using words to describe a part of the whole. In
India, the fractions were first written with one number above another (numerator and
denominator), but without a line. It was the Arabs only, who added the line which is used to
separate the numerator and the denominator.
What are Fractions?
In Mathematics, fractions are represented as a numerical value, which defines a part of a
whole. A fraction can be a portion or section of any quantity out of a whole, where the
whole can be any number, a specific value, or a thing. Let us understand this concept using
an example. The following figure shows a pizza that is divided into 8 equal parts. Now, if we
want to express one selected part of the pizza, we can express it as 1/8 which shows that
out of 8 equal parts, we are referring to 1 part.
It means one in eight equal parts. It can also be read as:
 One-eighth, or
 1 by 8

If we select 2 parts of the pizza, it will be expressed as 2/8. Similarly, if we are referring to 6 parts of
this pizza, we would write it as 6/8 as a fraction.
Parts of a Fraction
All fractions consist of a numerator and a denominator and they are separated by a
2
horizontal bar known as the fractional bar.
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 The denominator indicates the number of parts in which the whole has been divided
into. It is placed in the lower part of the fraction below the fractional bar.
 The numerator indicates how many sections of the fraction are represented or
selected. It is placed in the upper part of the fraction above the fractional bar.
Types of Fractions
Based on the numerator and denominator, which are parts of a fraction, there are
different types of fractions as listed below:
Proper Fraction
Proper fractions are the fractions in which the numerator is less than its denominator. For
5 3
example,  , , 2/5, and so on are proper fractions.
7 8
Improper Fraction
An improper fraction is the type of fraction in which the numerator is more than or equal to
4 5
its denominator. It is always the same or greater than the whole. For example,  , , 8/5,
3 2
and so on.
Unit Fraction
Fractions in which the numerator is 1 are known as unit fractions. For example, 1/4, 1/7,
1/9, and so on.
Mixed Fraction
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A mixed fraction is a mixture of a whole number and a proper fraction. For example, 5 ,
3
2 9
where 5 is the whole number and 1/3 is the proper fraction, or, 2 , 7 , and so on.
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Equivalent Fraction
Equivalent fractions are the fractions that represent the same value after they are
simplified. To get equivalent fractions of any given fraction:
 We can multiply both the numerator and the denominator of the given fraction by
the same number.
 We can divide both the numerator and the denominator of the given fraction by the
same number.
Example: Find the two fractions that are equivalent to 5/7.

Solution:
Equivalent Fraction 1: Let us multiply the numerator and the denominator with the same
number 2. This means, 5/7= (5 × 2)/(7 × 2) = 10/14
Equivalent Fraction 2: Let us multiply the numerator and the denominator with the same
number 3. This means, 5/7 = (5 × 3)/(7 × 3) = 15/21
Therefore, 10/14, 15/21, and 5/7 are equivalent fractions.
Like and Unlike Fractions
Like fractions are the fractions that have the same denominators. For example, 5/15, 3/15,
17/15, and 31/15 are like fractions.
Unlike fractions are the fractions which have different denominators. For example, 2/7,
9/11, 3/13, and 39/46 are unlike fractions.
How to multiply fraction?
5 7
x =¿
6 8

9 7 3 5
x =¿ , x =¿ ,
8 8 5 7

How to divide fraction?

1 1
÷ =¿
3 4

8 5 2 8
÷ =¿ , ÷ =¿
3 3 5 5

How to divide mix fraction?

4 1
4 ÷ 1 =¿
5 2
 7 4 1
1 ÷ =¿ , 5 ÷ 3 ¿
9 5 3

How to multiply mix fraction? With simplifying method

1 2
3 x =¿
4 5
2 3 3 1
5 x =¿ , 1 x 7 =¿
3 7 4 5
What are HCF and LCM?
HCF is the Highest Common Factor which can be seen in two or more numbers. HCF is the
greatest common number that divides all the given numbers exactly. Therefore, HCF is also
known as Greatest Common Divisor, also known as GCD. For example, if we take 60 and 75,
then HCF will be 15 as 15 is the highest common factor which will divide both 60 and 75
without leaving any remainder. LCM is the Least Common Multiple that can be seen in two
or more numbers. LCM is the least number that is a common multiple of all the given
numbers. For example, if we take 3 and 7 then 21 will be the LCM as 21 is the least common
multiple, which will be divided by 3 and 7 without leaving any remainder. Let’s dig deeper
and find out how to find HCF and LCM.