{"id":65,"date":"2021-10-08T19:54:02","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T23:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/math025\/chapter\/introduction-to-common-fractions\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T21:21:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T01:21:37","slug":"introduction-to-common-fractions","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/math025\/chapter\/introduction-to-common-fractions\/","title":{"raw":"Topic A: Introducing Common Fractions","rendered":"Topic A: Introducing Common Fractions"},"content":{"raw":"This unit gives you the background details that you need for working with [pb_glossary id=\"228\"]common fractions[\/pb_glossary].\r\n

Parts of Common Fractions<\/h1>\r\nCommon fractions are written with two numbers, one above the other, with either a straight or slanted line in between. The straight-line style is the one used most.\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nThe [pb_glossary id=\"280\"]denominator [\/pb_glossary] is the bottom number. It tells how many equal parts are in the whole thing. The [pb_glossary id=\"281\"]numerator[\/pb_glossary] is the top number. It tells how many of the equal parts we are dealing with.\r\n
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Example A<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nThe whole thing is the bunch of bananas. The whole thing has 5 equal parts (the bananas). The denominator is 5<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nHow many bananas have been eaten? 1<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhat fraction of the bananas have been eaten? [latex]\\tfrac{1}{5}[\/latex] of bananas.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Example B<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"An\r\n\r\nThe whole thing is a carton of one dozen eggs. One dozen has 12 equal parts, so if we are talking about the carton, the denominator is 12<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nHow many eggs are still in the carton? 7<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWhat fraction of the eggs are left? [latex]\\tfrac{7}{12}[\/latex] of the eggs.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nA fraction is always looking at things as parts of a whole<\/strong>. In the previous example of the eggs, the whole<\/strong> is 12 eggs. The part<\/strong> is the 7 eggs that are left. 7 is part of the whole of 12.\r\n
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Example C<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nThis pizza is one whole<\/strong> pizza. The pizza is cut into 8 pieces. This means the whole is 8. How many parts are left? (The pieces that are shaded are the ones left.) Write a fraction of how many pieces of pizza are left.\r\n\r\nThe amount left over can be shown as a fraction: [latex]\\tfrac{4}{8}[\/latex]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Example D<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nIt is Peter\u2019s 82nd birthday. There were 7 people, including Peter, at the party. Everyone wants a small piece of cake, so Kathleen cut the cake into 12 equal parts. This means the whole<\/strong> is 12. There will be some left over.\r\n\r\nThe amount left over can be shown as a fraction: [latex]\\tfrac{5}{12}[\/latex]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Example E<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"An\r\n\r\nSue made a strawberry pie to share with her family of 5. The pie was cut into 8 equal parts. This means the whole<\/strong> is 8. The kids are excited because there will be parts left over.\r\n\r\nThe fraction showing what amount of pie is left is: [latex]\\tfrac{3}{8}[\/latex]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Exercise 1<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nLook at the fraction below. Fill in the blank labels with the four [pb_glossary id=\"271\"]terms[\/pb_glossary] you are given:\r\n