SSAT Elementary Level Quantitative (Math)

This subject covers foundational quantitative skills and concepts for elementary-level students preparing for the SSAT.

Advanced Topics

Fractions and Decimals

Fractions and Decimals

Fractions are parts of a whole, and decimals are another way to show parts of a whole.

Fractions

A fraction has a top number (numerator) and a bottom number (denominator). The numerator tells how many parts you have; the denominator tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

Decimals

Decimals use a dot (.) to show parts smaller than one. For example, 0.5 is the same as one-half.

Comparing

You can compare fractions and decimals by thinking about how much of the whole they represent.

Real-World Example

When you cut a pizza into 8 slices, and you eat 3, you’ve eaten \( \frac{3}{8} \) of the pizza!

Key Formula

\[a = \frac{b}{c}\]

Examples

  • A quarter is \( \frac{1}{4} \) of a dollar, or $0.25.

  • If you drink half a glass of milk, you drank \( 0.5 \) or \( \frac{1}{2} \) of the glass.

In a Nutshell

Fractions and decimals help us describe parts of things.

Key Terms

Numerator
The top part of a fraction; how many parts you have.
Denominator
The bottom part of a fraction; how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
Decimal
A number that uses a dot to show values less than one.