Math - Introduction to Fractions

We have finally finished our unit on money! Now, we are learning about fractions. When we talk about fractions, we are talking about equal parts of a whole. That is to say, if we split a circle up into equal parts, how many equal parts are there in the whole circle?

Here is what a fraction looks like:

The number on top is called the numerator. The numerator is how many parts we are focusing on. These parts may be shaded in a fraction math problem.

The bottom number is called the denominator. The denominator is how many parts are there total in the whole.

So, for this fraction above, which we call "one-third," we are focusing on one part out of three total parts.

Here are some common fractions we will be working with and how you say them:

Finally, here is a picture of different ways you can equally split up a circle and the fractions that go with each part.

Image: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Primary_Mathematics/Fractions