In Mathematics, a fraction is described as the part of the complete thing. For instance, a pizza is divided into four even pieces, then every piece is represented by ¼. Fractions help to divide and estimate the numbers easily and make the mathematics faster. Alternatively, of using decimal values, the use and application of fractions look simpler.
Definition of Fraction in Maths
In Maths, a fraction is used to describe a particular portion of the whole thing. It depicts the identical parts of the whole. A fraction has mainly two parts, particularly a numerator, and a denominator. The number on the head is described as the numerator, and the number on the ground is called the denominator. The numerator represents the number of equal parts taken, while the denominator defines the total number of identical parts in a whole.
For example, 2/10 is a fraction. Here, 2 is a numerator and 10 is a denominator.
A few real-Life Examples:
In real life, we will many simple examples of fractions, such as:
- If a pizza is divided into four equal parts, then each part is equal to half of the entire pizza
- If we divide a slice of lemon into two equal parts then each part is equal to 1/2 of the whole
Types of Fractions
There are four fundamental types of fractions. They are:
- Unit Fraction: If in a fraction, the numerator with 1 is called a unit fraction. For example, 1/5, 1/4.
- Proper Fraction: If in any given numerator the value is less than the denominator value, it is called a proper fraction. Example: 3/9, 2/10.
- Improper Fraction: If in any given numerator its value is greater than the denominator value, then it is called an improper fraction. Example: 10/5, 12/10.
- Mixed Fraction: If any fraction consists of a whole number among a proper fraction, it is called a mixed fraction. Example 5 2/4, 10 4/2.
Decimals
In Mathematics, numbers can be classified into distinctive types, namely real numbers, natural numbers, whole numbers, rational numbers, and many more. Decimal numbers are one of them. It is the conventional form of representing an integer and a non-integer number. In this piece, let us discuss in detail what decimals are, their different types, characteristics, and place value representation of decimal numbers with many practiced examples.
What are Decimals?
In Algebra, decimals are one of the most important types of numbers, which have a whole number and the fractional part separated by a decimal point. The dot present amidst the whole number and fractions part is named as the decimal point. For instance, 36.5 is a decimal number. Here, 36 is a whole number while 5 is the fractional part present.
Properties of Decimals
The essential properties of decimal numbers under all mathematical operations are as stated below for your better understanding:
- If the two decimal numbers are multiplied in any method, the product remains alike.
- If a whole number and a decimal number are multiplied in any method, the product remains equal.
- If a decimal fraction is multiplied by number 1, the product is the decimal fraction only.
- If a decimal fraction is multiplied by 0, the product is always and invariably zero.
- If a decimal number is divided by 1, the quotient is the given decimal number.
- If a decimal number is divided by the same number, the quotient is always and invariably 1.
- If 0 is divided by any decimal, the quotient is just 0.
- The division of a decimal number by 0 is not possible, as the reciprocal of 0 does not exist in the number system.
When do we use decimals?
The decimal numbers are applied when the problem requires more exactness than the whole given value. For instance, while dealing with weight, money, length, temperature, and much more.
