Basic Parts of a Whole

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A fraction is a quotient of two rational numbers and shows a part of a whole. The denominator, or bottom number of a fraction, tells the total number of parts in the whole. The numerator, or top number of a fraction, identifies the number of parts of the whole. For example, the fraction ¹/₄ shows 1 out of 4 total parts of the whole. This fraction is also called a quarter, or a fourth. Guide your children to figure out that the twenty-five cent coin is called a quarter because there are 4 quarters in a dollar, so 1 quarter is equal to ¹/₄ of a dollar. Guide children to explain why a fifty-cent coin is called a half-dollar. There are 2 half-dollars in a dollar, so one half-dollar is equal to ¹/₂ of a dollar.

Familiarize your children with the language we use to describe fractions. When we split something into three equal parts, we divide it into thirds. One part of the whole is called a third. When we split something into four equal parts, we divide it into quarters. One part of the whole is called a fourth.