Improper Fractions
When the denominator and numerator of a fraction are the same number then they equal a whole. In other words, if the numerator and denominator of a fraction are the same then the fraction is equal to one. This is because the number of pieces present is equal to the number of pieces the whole has been broken up into.
Sometimes fractions can be bigger larger than 1. This happens when the numerator is bigger than the denominator. These are called improper fractions. This happens because there are more pieces of a whole than how many pieces the whole has been broken up into.
In the fraction above, you can see that the numerator is bigger than the denominator. By looking at the picture of the fraction you can see that the fraction is more than one whole. Or, in other words, the fraction is bigger than 1. But how can that happen? Take a closer look at the fraction to find out.
The denominator is 4, so the whole is broken up into 4 equal pieces. However, the numerator is 5, which means that there are 5 pieces of a whole are present. It only takes 4 pieces to make a whole, so there is an entire extra piece. Because there is a whole with an extra piece, the fraction is greater than 1!
Now that you have mastered improper fractions, click the arrow below to learn about how fractions can equal each other!
The denominator is 4, so the whole is broken up into 4 equal pieces. However, the numerator is 5, which means that there are 5 pieces of a whole are present. It only takes 4 pieces to make a whole, so there is an entire extra piece. Because there is a whole with an extra piece, the fraction is greater than 1!
Now that you have mastered improper fractions, click the arrow below to learn about how fractions can equal each other!