Grade 2 ↓
Fractions and Decimals
When we talk about fractions and decimals, we are discussing parts of a whole. It sounds complicated, but once you understand the basics it can be really fun and quite simple. Let's discuss these topics in depth with lots of easy examples and explanations!
Understanding fractions
Fractions are used to represent a part of a whole thing. Imagine you have a large chocolate bar and you want to share it equally with your friends. How do you know how much each person will get? You will use fractions!
A fraction has two important parts:
- Numerator - This is the number on top of the fraction. It tells us how many parts we have.
- Denominator - This is the number at the bottom of the fraction. It tells us how many parts are in the whole.
When we write fractions, they look like this:
1/2, 3/4, 5/8
The fraction 1/2
has a numerator of 1
and a denominator 2
. This means you have one part of two equal parts.
Visualizing fractions
Let's see what fractions look like with some simple examples:
Above, the rectangle is divided into 2 equal parts. The colored part represents 1/2
, which means half of the whole rectangle is highlighted.
Here, the rectangle is divided into 4 equal parts. Three of the four parts are filled, representing the fraction 3/4
.
Working with simple fractions
Learning fractions can be fun! Here are some simple exercises to strengthen your understanding:
Example 1: If you divide a pizza into 4 equal pieces and eat 1 slice, you have eaten 1/4
of the pizza.
Example 2: If you have a pack of 8 markers and you give 3 markers to your friend, you have given him 3/8
the markers.
Understanding decimals
Decimals are another way of representing fractions. While fractions represent two numbers separated by a line, decimals use a point, called the decimal point.
Some simple fractions are written as decimals like this:
- 1/2 =
0.5
- 1/4 =
0.25
- 3/4 =
0.75
Viewing decimals
Decimals can be understood using the same visual concepts as fractions:
Here, 0.5
represents the same as 1/2
represents, which means half of the rectangle is colored.
In this example, 0.25
equals 1/4
. One quarter of the rectangle is highlighted, representing 0.25 or 25% of the total.
Why use fractions and decimals?
Fractions and decimals are incredibly useful in our everyday lives. Here are some examples of when you might see or use them:
- Cooking: Recipes often use fractions to describe the amount of ingredients, such as 1/2 cup sugar or 3/4 teaspoon salt.
- Shopping: When an item is 50% off you are paying half the price, which is
0.5
times the original cost. - Measurement: If you're measuring length, you may need to use fractions or decimals for accuracy, such as 1.5 meters or 3/4 yard.
Adding fractions to decimals
Sometimes, converting fractions to decimals can seem tricky, but once you know that a fraction is just a division it's easy! For example:
To convert the fraction 1/4
to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator (1 ÷ 4):
1 ÷ 4 = 0.25
So, 1/4
becomes 0.25
.
Practice with fractions and decimals
Here are some fun exercises to practice your comprehension:
Exercise 1: Colouring
Draw a circle and divide it into 8 equal parts. Colour 3 parts and write down the fraction of the circle coloured. Now try to write it as a decimal.
Exercise 2: Cooking with fractions
Look at a recipe you like. Identify how much of each ingredient is needed. Try doubling the recipe and write down the new portions.
Exercise 3: Play time
If you played 10 games and won 6, what fraction represents the games you won? Try converting that fraction to a decimal!
Conclusion
Fractions and decimals help us understand and describe the world in precise terms. They show us how to divide things fairly, how to measure things accurately, and even how to get the best deals when we're shopping. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep playing around with fractions and decimals, and you'll be a math superstar in no time!