Fraction Tutorial Part I: The Concept of a Fraction
A fraction can be thought of as part of a whole. Below are several pictures that attempt to illustrate the concept of a fraction using picutres of a pizza that is divided up into slices. .
Imagine that you ordered a full pizza with 6 slices . The fraction that represents the whole pizza is $$ \frac 6 6 $$ which is the same as the integer 1.
After all, we ordered 1 whole pizza so it makes sense that all 6 slices are the same as 1 whole pie.
You eat 1 slice and there are now 5 slices left. The fraction $$ \frac 5 6 $$ now represents the slices of this pizza.
(If you're interested in Part II of this tutorial. The top number or 5 is called the numerator and 6 is the denominator of this fraction)
Your friend eats 2 more slices. There are now 3 slices left. The fraction $$ \frac 3 6 } now expresses the slices of this pizza.
(If you're interested in Part II of this tutorial. The top number or 3 is called the numerator and 6 is the denominator of this fraction).
Your sisters comes over and eats another 2 slices. There is now 1 slice left.. The fraction $$ \frac 3 6 $$ } now expresses the slices of this pizza.
(If you're interested in Part II of this tutorial. The top number or 1 is called the numerator and 6 is the denominator of fraction).
You are ready for a second slice of pizza so you grab that last one. Now there are zero slices of the pizza left.
(If you're interested in Part II of this tutorial. The top number or 0 is called the numerator and 6 is the denominator of fraction).
