| 1. The definition
of fraction. |
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Just like
natural numbers express quantities related to whole objects, fractions
express quantities in which objects are divided into equal-sized parts.
A
fraction is the quotient of two numbers. That is, it is a division not
done. A fraction represents the resulting value or number when doing
that division.
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The elements
of a fraction are:
The
numerator. It is the number above, it shows the parts we have.
The
denominator. It is the number below, it shows the number of the parts
in which we have divided each unit.
The
vinculum: It is the horizontal line that separates them.
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You can
change the value of the numerator and of the denominator by using the
control box below and you will see the graphical representation of the
fraction by means of circular sectors. |
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In
this window the fraction is represented by means of rectangles.
You
have to take into account that the unit value is the surface of
a square.
The
fractions that exceed a square are worth more than 1, and the ones
that don't cover a whole square are worth less than 1.
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