Fractions: meaning, definitions and examples

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fractions

[ ˈfræk.ʃənz ]

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mathematics

Fractions are numbers that represent a part of a whole. They consist of a numerator (the top number) and a denominator (the bottom number) separated by a fraction bar.

Synonyms

quotients, rational numbers

Examples of usage

A half is represented as 1/2.
Two thirds is represented as 2/3.
Three quarters is represented as 3/4.

Translations

Translations of the word "fractions" in other languages:

🇵🇹 frações

🇮🇳 भिन्न

🇩🇪 Brüche

🇮🇩 pecahan

🇺🇦 дроби

🇵🇱 ułamki

🇯🇵 分数 (ぶんすう)

🇫🇷 fractions

🇪🇸 fracciones

🇹🇷 kesirler

🇰🇷 분수

🇸🇦 كسور

🇨🇿 zlomky

🇸🇰 zlomky

🇨🇳 分数

🇸🇮 ulomki

🇮🇸 brot

🇰🇿 үлестер

🇬🇪 ფრაქციები

🇦🇿 kəsrlər

🇲🇽 fracciones

Word origin

The concept of fractions dates back to ancient Egypt around 1800 BC, where hieroglyphs indicated unit fractions. The Greeks also used fractions, but the modern notation we use today was developed in the Middle Ages. The word 'fraction' itself comes from the Latin word 'fractus', meaning 'broken' or 'divided'.