Numerator and Denominator

Here you will learn about the numerator and denominator of fractions, including equivalent fractions, improper fractions, unit fractions and mixed fractions.

Students will first learn about fractions in 3rd grade math as part of their work in number and operations with fractions and build upon that knowledge as they progress through elementary school.

What are the Numerator and Denominator?

The numerator and denominator of a fraction are the top and bottom numbers of a fraction.

The numerator of a fraction is the number of parts of the whole;  it’s the top number of a fraction.

The denominator of a fraction is the number of equal parts the whole is divided into; it’s the bottom number of a fraction.

Visual models help to identify the numerator and the denominator of a fraction.

\cfrac{2}{3} \, is a proper fraction because the numerator is less than the denominator.

2 < 3

Proper fractions are always less than one.

An improper fraction is one in which the numerator is greater than the denominator. Improper fractions are always greater than 1. They can be written as mixed numbers.

For example, \cfrac{4}{3} \, is an improper fraction because 4 > 3.

\hspace{1.6cm} \cfrac{3}{3}=1 \hspace{1.7cm} \textbf{+} \hspace{2.2cm} \cfrac{1}{3}

\cfrac{4}{3} \, is the same as 1\cfrac{1}{3}

A unit fraction is a fraction where the numerator is 1.

Unit fractions help to decompose (break apart) fractions.

Let’s decompose the fraction \, \cfrac{5}{6} \, into unit fractions.

Unit fractions on the number line can also help to decompose a fraction.

Equivalent fractions are fractions that look different but represent the same value.

Let’s check to make sure \, \cfrac{2}{3} \, is equivalent to \, \cfrac{4}{6}.

If you multiply the numerator and the denominator of \, \cfrac{2}{3} \, by a common factor of 2 you will get \, \cfrac{4}{6}

\cfrac{2}{3}=\cfrac{2 \; \times \; 2}{3 \; \times \; 2}=\cfrac{4}{6}

So, \cfrac{2}{3} = \cfrac{4}{6}

Common Core Standards

How does this relate to 3rd grade math and 4th grade math?

• Grade 3 – Number and Operations – Fractions (3.NF.A.1)
Understand a fraction \, \cfrac{1}{b} \, as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction \, \cfrac{a}{b} \, as the quantity formed by a parts of size \, \cfrac{1}{b}.

• Grade 4 – Number and Operations – Fractions (4.NF.A.1)
Explain why a fraction \, \cfrac{a}{b} \, is equivalent to a fraction \, \cfrac{(n \, \times \, a)}{(n \, \times \, b)} \, by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.

• Grade 4 – Number and Operations – Fractions (4.NF.B.3.b)
Decompose a fraction into a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way, recording each decomposition by an equation. Justify decompositions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

How to use numerators and denominators

In order to write a proper fraction from a visual model:

1. Count the equal parts the model is divided to find the denominator.
2. Count how many shaded parts there are to find the numerator.
3. Write the fraction with the numerator on top and the denominator on the bottom.

In order to write an improper fraction from a model and make it a mixed number:

1. Count how many equal parts the model is divided into in order to find the denominator.
2. Count how many total parts are shaded; identify the wholes and the fractional part.
3. Write the mixed number with the whole number first, then the fraction part with the numerator on top and the denominator on the bottom.
4. Write the mixed number.

In order to determine a unit fraction:

1. Count how many equal parts the model or shape is divided into in order to find the denominator.
2. Write the unit fraction to represent one part.

In order to decompose fractions into unit fractions using a visual model:

1. Count how many equal parts the model is divided into in order to find the denominator.
2. Count how many shaded parts there are in order to find the numerator.
3. Write the fraction.
4. Look at Step 2, the number of shaded parts is the number of unit fractions.
5. Write the unit fraction as an addition statement.

In order determine if the given fractions are equivalent using a model:

1. Look to see if the shaded area is approximately the same.
2. Compare the numerators and denominators of the given fractions.
3. Using either multiplication or division, find the common factor that was multiplied or divided from the first fraction to the second fraction.
4. Write the equivalent fractions.

Numerator and denominator examples

Example 1: writing a proper fraction from a visual model

Write the fraction that is represented by the model.

1. Count how many equal parts the model is divided into in order to find the denominator.

The model is divided into 5 equal parts so the denominator is 5.

2Count how many shaded parts there are in order to find the numerator.

There are 3 shaded parts so the numerator is 3.

3Write the fraction with the numerator on top and the denominator on the bottom.

The model represents \, \cfrac{3}{5}

Example 2: writing an improper fraction from a model

Write the fraction that is represented by the model.

Each model is divided into 3 equal parts. So the denominator is 3.

One model has 3 out of 3 shaded parts which represents the 1 whole.

The second model has 2 out of 3 models shaded which represents the fractional part.

\cfrac{3}{3}=1 plus \cfrac{2}{3}

2 is the numerator because it’s the shaded part in the second circle and 3 is the denominator because that’s how many equal parts the circle is divided into.

1+ \cfrac{2}{3}=1 \cfrac{2}{3}

Example 3: writing a unit fraction

Mary divided a circle into 4 equal pieces. What would be the unit fraction representing 1 part?

Mary divided a circle into 4 equal pieces. This is a model of her circle.

1 part shaded out of 4 represents the unit fraction. The unit fraction is \cfrac{1}{4}

Example 4: decompose a fraction into unit fractions

Express \, \cfrac{3}{8} \, as the sum of unit fractions.

The circle is divided into 8 equal parts so the denominator is 8.

There are 3 parts shaded, so the numerator is 3. Each part shaded represents \cfrac{1}{8} of the circle.

The unit fraction would be 1 part of the 8 parts, so it is \cfrac{1}{8}

\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}= \cfrac{3}{8}

Example 5: equivalent fractions

Write the equivalent fractions represented in the models.

It looks like approximately the same area of both circles is shaded.

The first model is divided into 8 equal parts with 6 parts shaded. \cfrac{6}{8}

The second model is divided into 4 equal parts with 3 parts shaded. \cfrac{3}{4}

Using division, the common factor is 2.

\cfrac{6}{8}=\cfrac{6 \, \div \, 2}{8 \, \div \, 2}=\cfrac{3}{4}

\cfrac{6}{8}=\cfrac{3}{4}

Example 6: equivalent fractions

Determine if the fractions represented in the models are equivalent.

It appears as though approximately the same portion of the circles are shaded

The first model is divided into 12 equal parts with 3 parts shaded. \cfrac{3}{12}

The second model is divided into 4 equal parts with 1 part shaded. \cfrac{1}{4}

Using division, the common factor is 3.

\cfrac{3}{12}=\cfrac{3\div 3}{12\div 3}=\cfrac{1}{4}

\cfrac{3}{12}=\cfrac{1}{4}

Teaching tips for numerators and denominators

• Reinforcing the fraction concepts with models and number lines helps students to build number sense.

• Unit fractions can help students understand the value of the fractions. For example, students know that 5 is greater than 2. However, with a fraction \, \cfrac{1}{5} \, is less than \, \cfrac{1}{2} \, which can confuse students. Using a visual model to show unit fractions helps students formulate understanding.

• Consider alternatives to worksheets when practicing skills such as game playing.

• Building understanding through visual models of equivalent fractions leads to deeper understanding of finding common denominators as opposed to just regurgitating a process.

Easy mistakes to make

• Confusing the denominator of the fraction and the numerator of the fraction
For example, thinking that the equal parts a model is divided into represents the numerator instead of the denominator.

• Thinking fractions with different numerators and denominators can’t be equal
For example, \, \cfrac{1}{2} \, and \, \cfrac{3}{6} \, are equal in value because they both represent one-half.

Visually, you can see that they both are the same shaded area.

• Thinking that the fraction \, \cfrac{1}{4} \, is greater than \, \cfrac{1}{2} \,
Students know that 4 is greater than 2, so they can get confused with unit fractions. The more parts a whole is divided into, the smaller the unit fraction’s value.

• Forgetting to multiply or divide the entire fraction by the common factor when finding equivalent fractions
For example, when finding an equivalent fraction to \cfrac{2}{3}, the 2 and the 3 have to be multiplied by the common factor.

Practice numerator and denominator problems

1. What is the fraction represented by the shaded area?

\cfrac{7}{10}

\cfrac{10}{7}

\cfrac{8}{10}

\cfrac{3}{10}

The model is divided into 10 equal parts, with 7 parts shaded.

The denominator is 10 and the numerator is 7.

The numerator is the top number, and the denominator is the bottom number.

\cfrac{7}{10}

2. What is the improper fraction represented by the shaded area?

\cfrac{5}{8}

\cfrac{8}{5}

\cfrac{13}{8}

\cfrac{8}{13}

Each circle is divided into 8 equal parts, so 8 is the denominator.

The first circle has 8 out of 8 parts shaded.

The second circle has 5 out of 8 parts shaded. 8 + 5 = 13, which is the numerator.

The improper fraction is \cfrac{13}{8}

3. What is the mixed number represented by the shaded areas?

1\cfrac{1}{3}

1\cfrac{4}{3}

1\cfrac{7}{4}

1\cfrac{3}{4}

Both models are divided into 4 equal parts so the denominator is 4.

The first circle has 4 out 4 parts shaded which is \cfrac{4}{4}=1.

The second circle has 3 out of 4 parts shaded which is \cfrac{3}{4}.

1 + \cfrac{3}{4}=1\cfrac{3}{4}

4. Express the fraction represented below as the sum of unit fractions.

\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7} +\cfrac{1}{7}

\cfrac{1}{8} +\cfrac{1}{8} + \cfrac{1}{8} + \cfrac{1}{8} +\cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}

\cfrac{1}{8} +\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8} +\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8} +\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}

\cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7}+ \cfrac{1}{7}+\cfrac{1}{7}

7 parts are shaded out of 8 equal parts, so the fraction is \cfrac{7}{8}

The unit fraction would be 1 part out of 8 parts, so it is \cfrac{1}{8}

\cfrac{7}{8} = \cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}+ \cfrac{1}{8}+\cfrac{1}{8}

5. Which pair of equivalent fractions represents the circle models?

\cfrac{10}{16}=\cfrac{5}{8}

\cfrac{12}{16}=\cfrac{2}{8}

\cfrac{8}{16}=\cfrac{3}{4}

\cfrac{12}{16}=\cfrac{3}{4}

12 out of 16 parts are shaded in the first circle model, which is \cfrac{12}{16}.

3 out of 4 parts are shaded in the second circle model, which is \cfrac{3}{4}.

Using division, the common factor is 4.

\cfrac{12 \, \div \, 4}{16 \, \div \, 4}=\cfrac{3}{4}

\cfrac{12}{16}=\cfrac{3}{4}

6. Which pair of equivalent fractions represents the circle models?

\cfrac{2}{5}=\cfrac{4}{10}

\cfrac{2}{5}=\cfrac{4}{8}

\cfrac{2}{6}=\cfrac{4}{10}

\cfrac{5}{10}=\cfrac{1}{2}

The first circle model has 2 shaded parts out of 5 parts, \cfrac{2}{6}.

The second circle model has 4 shaded parts out of 10 parts, \cfrac{4}{10}.

Using multiplication, the common factor is 2.

\cfrac{2 \, \times \, 2}{5 \, \times \, 2}=\cfrac{4}{10}

\cfrac{2}{5}=\cfrac{4}{10}

Numerator and Denominator FAQs

What is the difference between the numerator and the denominator?

The denominator tells you how many parts the whole is broken into and is the bottom part of the fraction.
The numerator tells you how many parts of a whole and is the top part of a fraction.
For example, looking at the model

The whole is divided into 5 equal pieces and 3 pieces are shaded, representing the fraction  \cfrac{3}{5}

How are unit fractions helpful?

The unit fraction can help break apart fractions easily. Unit fractions also help to understand the value of fractions. For example, the unit fraction of \, \cfrac{1}{4} \, is greater than the unit fraction \, \cfrac{1}{8}.

From the model, you can see that 1 part of 4 is bigger than 1 part of 8.

Does the numerator of a fraction have to be smaller than the denominator?

No, the numerator can be less than the denominator or greater than the denominator. When the numerator of a fraction is less than the denominator, it is a fraction less than 1, called a proper fraction. When the numerator of a fraction is greater than the denominator, it is greater than 1, called an improper fraction.

Is a fraction like a division problem?

Yes, a fraction can be seen as division where the numerator is dividend and the denominator is the divisor.

\cfrac{1}{4} → fraction bar represents division

\cfrac{1}{4} \, is 1 \div 4

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