Fraction Tutorial

A Visual Tutorial

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 the fraction ½, ¼ and ¾ respectively

A visual representation of fractions as slices of a pizza pie. Let's imagine that you ordered a pie of pizza that has 6 slices

Tutorial Part 1 A)

Imagine that you ordered a full pizza with six slices (see the picture on the left). The fraction that represents the whole pizza is 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.

Tutorial Part 1 B)

You eat 1 of the slices and there are now 5 slices left. The fraction 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)

Tutorial Part 1 C)

Your friend eats 2 more slices. There are now 3 slices left. The fraction 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 )

Let the story continue, keep eating up that pizza

Tutorial Part 1 D)

Your sisters comes over and eats another 2 slices. There is now 1 slice left.. The fraction 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 )

Tutorial Part 1 E)

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 )

Part II of The Fraction Tutorial. Interactive Powerpoint

The visual powerpoint below should help tutor you in how to identify a fraction with a visual representation of that fraction (in this case slices of pizza).

Part III of The Fraction Tutorial

The Numerator and the Denominator of a fraction

The numerator is the number that is at the top of the fraction and represents how many 'things' we have. In our examples, the numerator represents how many slices of pizza are left.

The denominator is the number that is at the bottom of the fraction and represents how many 'things' make up the whole. In other words, how many slices were in 1 whole pizza--6. Therefore, 6 is the denominator in our example.