Fractions and decimals
A fraction shows equal parts of a whole, like ½ (one half) or ¼ (one quarter). A decimal shows the same idea with a dot. They are two ways to write the same amount.
Key idea
½ = 0.5. Cut a whole into 2 equal parts and take 1. As a decimal it is 0.5.
Simple fractions
In ¾, the bottom number (4) tells how many equal parts. The top number (3) tells how many you take. So ¾ means 3 of the 4 equal parts. The bigger the bottom number, the smaller each part is. Remember that the parts must always be the same size, or it is not a fair fraction.
Worked example
A pizza is cut into 4 equal slices. You eat 2. What fraction did you eat?
You ate 2 out of 4 = 2/4, which is the same as ½. So you ate half the pizza.
Remember
- ½ = 0.5.
- ½ is bigger than ¼.
- 1 whole = 2 halves = 4 quarters.