# Fractions of a Whole

When dealing with fractions of a whole, there is a numerator on top and a denominator on the bottom of the fraction. The denominator is the number that represents the total number of equal spaces that make up the whole. The numerator is the number that represents a specific part of the whole. For instance, if you have 1 whole pizza that is cut into 8 slices, 8 would be the denominator. If there are only 5 pieces left in the box, the numerator would be 5. Therefore, 5/8 of the pizza is still left in the box.

Fractions of a Whole

## Fractions of a Whole

When dealing with fractions of a whole realize that there’s a numerator and a denominator in every fraction, the numerator is on top and the denominator is on the bottom.

We have a fraction bar right here, so first we need to determine what goes in the denominator– that’s the total amount of spaces we have on the fraction strip. We have the fraction strip right here, so we need to count the total amount of spaces, count with me 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. I need to put an 8 in the denominator here.

Now when it comes to the numerator, we need to count the shaded spaces, notice these spaces right here they’re all shaded, so now we need to count those 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There’s 5 shaded spaces.

The 5 is going to go in the numerator, because we have the whole amount right here, and then we have part of the whole. Right here we have pizza, so let’s count the spaces of this pizza, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Again, if we’re doing a numerator and denominator, we put 8 in the denominator.

Now we need to count the shaded regions for the numerator, it’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 shaded regions. Here for this pizza there were 8 total pieces, 8 is the whole, and then 5 is how many are still there. There’s 5 pieces of pizza still there, 5 goes in the numerator.

Although you may mostly be dealing with the fraction strip, try to take that idea right there and think about just a pizza, and think about, “Okay, maybe there’s 8 or 5 total pieces of pizza, and how many have not been eaten yet?”

That’s what you’re doing when you look at a fraction strip. Remember that the whole goes in the denominator and then the shaded regions go in the numerator.

550504

by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: August 15, 2019