How fractions are represented, or in other words how do we write the fractions?
To represent fractions, mathematicians named the following three things:
1. Numerator
2. Denominator
3. Solidus or Vinculum
Explanation of all three is given below:
1. Numerator: Numerator is the number of parts of whole are considered or asked in the given situation. Numerator is always at the top of the fraction. In the pizza example, we are considering how many pieces (parts) of pizza each member got, which is ―one piece‖ and is our numerator for the fraction.
2. Denominator: Denominator is the number of total parts in the whole. Denominator is always written at the bottom of the fraction. In our example one whole pizza is cut into three pieces (total pieces of a whole), so the denominator for the fraction is three.
3. Solidus or Vinculum: Solidus or vinculum is a line between the numerator and denominator. This line is never called by the above names in daily life mathematics. Most often this line is called the fraction line, or fraction bar, or simply over.
To learn more about fractions, click fractions worksheets.
