2 numbers, 2 jobs.
Fractions: what are the numerator and denominator? The denominator is the bottom number: how many equal parts the whole is split into. The numerator is the top number: how many of those parts you have.
The method in words
In 3/4:
4 = the denominator, 4 equal parts
3 = the numerator, 3 of them
Two things that trip children up:
- The parts must be equal. 4 uneven slices aren't quarters.
- More parts means smaller parts. 1/8 is smaller than 1/4.
Children use both words from Year 3. Save this for homework night.
Sources: Oak National Academy, Year 3 lessons "Use fraction notation to describe an equal part of the whole" and "Identify non-unit fractions"; national curriculum for maths, Year 3. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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