Math

Study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns.

Advanced Topics

Fractions and Decimals

Understanding Parts of a Whole

Fractions and decimals help us talk about parts of things. A fraction like \( \frac{1}{2} \) means one out of two equal parts.

  • Fractions:

    • Numerator (top number) shows how many parts you have.
    • Denominator (bottom number) shows the total number of equal parts.
  • Decimals:

    • Decimals are another way to write fractions, using a dot. For example, 0.5 is the same as \( \frac{1}{2} \).

Using Fractions and Decimals

Fractions and decimals are useful when sharing pizza, measuring ingredients, or reading money amounts.

Converting Between Fractions and Decimals

You can change a fraction to a decimal by dividing the top number by the bottom number.

Key Formula

\[0.5 = \frac{1}{2}\]

Examples

  • Measuring half a cup of water for a recipe.

  • Comparing 0.25 and 1/4 to see they are equal.

In a Nutshell

Fractions and decimals let us describe parts of things, like slices of pizza or amounts of money.

Key Terms

Numerator
The top number in a fraction, showing how many parts you have.
Denominator
The bottom number in a fraction, showing the total number of parts.