L2 · Numerator and denominator: naming a fraction

Learning goal

“I can name a fraction of one whole: the denominator tells me the total number of equal parts, and the numerator tells me how many of those parts are counted.”

Numerator — the number of equal parts being counted. In 3/4, the numerator 3 counts 3 parts.

Denominator — the total number of equal parts in the whole. In 3/4, the denominator 4 says the whole has 4 equal parts.

Fraction — a number that names a count of equal parts of one whole, written with a numerator and a denominator.

Worked example

A rectangle is ONE whole. It is split into 6 equal parts. 5 parts are shaded. Step 1 (denominator first): count ALL the equal parts in the whole: 6. The denominator is 6. Step 2 (numerator second): count the parts we are talking about - the shaded ones: 5. The numerator is 5. Step 3: the shaded fraction is 5/6. Read it as "five sixths": five parts, each one-sixth of the whole. Always count the whole first. The denominator never counts only the shaded parts - it counts every equal part the whole was split into.

Check yourself — explain it

In 5/6, why is the denominator 6 and not 5?

Paired problem — example still visible

A circle is split into 8 equal parts, with 3 parts shaded. The shaded fraction is ___ -> 3/8

Faded completion — last step is yours

"A strip split into 9 equal parts, 2 parts shaded: denominator ___ (all parts), numerator ___ (shaded parts), fraction ___." -> 9; 2; 2/9

Ready to practise?

10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.

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