A fraction is a "part" of a "whole". It is also a ratio between two integers separated by a solidus (/) or a vinculum ( __ ). The upper part of a fraction is called numerator and the lower part is called denominator.
The "whole" of a circle can be divided into different "parts" as shown below. The colored portion of the circles denotes a specific part of the whole.
We use cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) to read the numerator, and ordinal numbers (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) to read the denominator. When we write fractions in words, we use a hyphen between the cardinal number and the ordinal number.
Ordinal numbers are countable, so we add "s" to the word.
`2/4` - here thenumerator "2" is pronounced as 2, the denominator "4" as fourth, and the fraction as two-fourths.
`1/8` - here the numerator "1" is pronounced as 1, the denominator "8" as eighth, and the fraction as one-eighths.
| Dividend | A number or quantity that is being divided. |
| Divisor | A number or quantity that divides another quantity. |
| Equivalent | Being essentially equal. |
| Integer | A positive or negative whole number. |
| Ratio | A relationship between two or more numbers. |
| Reciprocal | Multiplicative inverse of a quantity. |
| Similar | Having the same characteristics. |
| Simplify | To make simpler or reduce complexity. |
| Unlike | Having different characteristics. |
| Whole Number | Either a zero (0) or a counting number. |
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