Fractions

What are fractions?

Fractions are portion or part of whole number that describes quantities. Examples

Consider the shapes below:

Types of fraction

Fractions are divided into four basic types:

   (i).  A Proper Fraction –  It is a fraction having both numerator and denominator. And such is

said to be rational.  In  a proper fraction, its numerator is smaller in quantity than its

denominator. We can use a funny example to explain. Suppose a 15 years old boy is made

to carry on his head two small tubers of yam. We can see that he can comfortably and

conveniently carry them without feeling the heaviness of the weight of the tubers, on his

neck. If we let the boy be the denominator and the two tubers of yam to be numerator, we

can reason or compare that the numerator (the yam tubers) and the 15 year-old boy (the

denominator) are not equal in weight. Obviously in this example the numerator is lighter

than the denominator. It is a proper thing for anyone to do when placing loads on a child’s

head. The load on a child’s head should not be heavier than the body mass of that child. So,

it is proper. That is exactly what a proper fraction looks like

(ii).  An Improper Fraction  –  It is also a fraction having both numerator and denominator. But

for an improper fraction its numerator is bigger in quantity than its denominator. Using our

funny example above, we will believe that it is not proper for a seven-year old boy to carry

a  whole drum of petrol upon his head. It will be improper to do that.  So, an improper

fraction has its numerator larger in quantity than its denominator.

denominators. Another name for vulgar   fraction is common fraction. Examples of Decimal

Fractions are:   9.45  ,  9.4558976 ,  0.0003287 ,  8.91234  ,  9.00674 ,  0.1  ,  0.01432 ,  etc.

CLASS ACTIVITY

1. What do you understand by word ‘fractions’?
2. List or mention 4 types of fractions and give 2 examples of each.
3. State the difference between ‘vulgar’ and ‘decimal’ fractions.

CONVERSION OF FRACTION TO DECIMAL

There are two methods of doing this conversion. There is the general method which can be used any time and on any type of vulgar fraction; and there is another method when the denominator of the fraction contains power/powers of ten. In this second case the given fraction can first be converted to an equivalent fraction.