Numerator And Denominator

Here we will learn about the numerator and denominator of fractions, including equivalent fractions, improper fractions, unit fractions and mixed numbers.

There are also equivalent fraction worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is numerator and denominator?

The numerator and denominator of a fraction are the top number and bottom number parts of a fraction.

• A fraction visually displays a division.

The numerator represents the dividend and the denominator represents the divisor.

• A proper fraction is one which is part of a whole (less than 1 ), where the numerator is less than the denominator.

For example,

\cfrac{2}{7} \, , \, \cfrac{3}{5} \, , \, \cfrac{4}{11} are all proper fractions.

• A fraction can be simplified if the numerator and denominator have a common factor.

For example,

\cfrac{6}{8} is not in its simplest form. 6 and 8 have a common factor of 2.

Dividing both the numerator and denominator by their highest common factor (HCF) will produce an equivalent fraction in its simplest form.

\cfrac{6}{8} is equivalent to \cfrac{3}{4}.

• A unit fraction is a type of fraction with a numerator of 1.

For example,

\cfrac{1}{2} \, , \, \cfrac{1}{3} \, , \, \cfrac{1}{9} are all unit fractions.

• If the numerator of a fraction is greater than the denominator of the fraction, the fraction is called an improper fraction.

For example,

\cfrac{7}{3} is an improper fraction because 7>3.

Improper fractions can be converted to mixed numbers.

• A mixed number (also called mixed fraction) has an integer part and a fractional part.

We can convert an improper fraction to a mixed number by dividing the numerator by the denominator to find the integer and the remainder. We can then write the remainder on top of the original denominator as the fractional part, next to the integer part.

For example,

If the numerator is a multiple of the denominator, the fraction will be equivalent to an integer. We can just carry out the division to find the integer value.

For example,

\cfrac{12}{3}=12\div3=4

If the numerator is equal to the denominator, the fraction will be equivalent to 1.

For example,

\cfrac{13}{13}=13\div 13=1

• If we perform a short division process we can also convert a fraction to a decimal.

If we wanted to convert three eighths into a decimal, we can use the “bus stop” division to find the equivalent decimal.

For example,

• If a fraction has a denominator which is 100, it can easily be converted to a percentage.

For example,

\cfrac{37}{100}=37\%

\cfrac{14}{25}=\cfrac{14\times 4}{25\times 4}=\cfrac{56}{100}=56\%

• There are times we will need to compare, add or subtract fractions.

To do this we need a common denominator.

For example,

\cfrac{3}{7} and \cfrac{1}{2} do not have common denominators.

We can find the lowest common multiple (LCM) of the denominators to then convert both fractions to equivalent fractions with a common denominator.

7 and 2 have a lowest common multiple of 14.

Converting both fractions gives us

\cfrac{3}{7}=\cfrac{3\times 2}{7\times 2}=\cfrac{6}{14}

\cfrac{1}{2}=\cfrac{1\times 7}{2\times 7}=\cfrac{7}{14}

Now we have a common denominator, we can compare, add or subtract the two fractions.

Comparing,

\cfrac{6}{14}<\cfrac{7}{14} so \cfrac{3}{7}<\cfrac{1}{2}.

Adding,

\cfrac{3}{7}+\cfrac{1}{2}=\cfrac{6}{14}+\cfrac{7}{14}=\cfrac{13}{14}.

Finding common denominators is also an alternative way to divide fractions.

\cfrac{3}{7}\div \cfrac{1}{2}=\cfrac{6}{14}\div\cfrac{7}{14}=\cfrac{6\div 7}{14\div 14}=\cfrac {6\div 7}{1}=\cfrac{6}{7}

What is numerator and denominator?

How to use numerators and denominators

In order to use numerators and denominators:

1. Identify the numerator and denominator.
2. Compare.
   a) Do they have a common factor?
   b) Is the numerator greater than the denominator?
   c) Is the numerator a multiple of the denominator?
3. If (a) simplify the fraction. If (b) convert to a mixed number. If (c) divide to get an integer.

Explain how to use numerators and denominators

Related lessons on fractions

Numerator and denominator is part of our series of lessons to support revision on fractions. You may find it helpful to start with the main fractions lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

• Fractions
• Improper fractions to mixed numbers
• Mixed number to improper fraction
• Fractions of amounts
• Adding and subtracting fractions
• Multiplying and dividing fractions
• Equivalent fractions

Numerator and denominator examples

Example 1: simplifying a proper fraction

Simplify \cfrac{12}{18}.

1. Identify the numerator and denominator.

The numerator is 12 and the denominator is 18.

2Compare.

a) Do they have a common factor?

Yes, the highest common factor of 12 and 18 is 6.

b) Is the numerator greater than the denominator?

No.

c) Is the numerator a multiple of the denominator?

No.

3If (a) simplify the fraction. If (b) convert to a mixed number. If (c) divide to get an integer.

Dividing both 12 and 18 by 6 gives \cfrac{12}{18}=\cfrac{2}{3}.

Example 2: converting an improper fraction to a mixed number

Write \cfrac{11}{3} as a mixed number.

Example 3: converting an improper fraction to an integer

Write \cfrac{24}{6} as an integer.

Example 4: converting an improper fraction to a mixed number and simplifying

Write \cfrac{25}{15} as a mixed number in its simplest form.

Example 5: converting a fraction to a decimal

Write \cfrac{3}{8} as a decimal.

If (a) simplify the fraction. If (b) convert to a mixed number. If (c) divide to get an integer.

This question requires the numerator to be divided by the denominator to get a decimal.

\cfrac{3}{8}=3\div 8=0.375

Example 6: converting a fraction to a percentage

Write \cfrac{13}{20} as a percentage.

If (a) simplify the fraction. If (b) convert to a mixed number. If (c) divide to get an integer.

The question requires the fraction to be written as a percentage. There are several ways to do this. One method is to convert the fraction so its denominator is 100.

Since 20 is a factor of 100, this can be done by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by 5.

\cfrac{13}{20}=\cfrac{13\times 5}{20\times 5}=\cfrac{65}{100}=65\%

Alternatively we could multiply the original fraction by 100.

\cfrac{13}{20}\times 100=\cfrac{1300}{20}=65\%

Or convert the original fraction to a decimal and then multiply by 100.

\cfrac{13}{20}\times 100=0.65\times 100=65\%

Example 7: converting a mixed number to an improper fraction

Write 7 \cfrac{1}{4} as an improper fraction.

Common misconceptions

• Not using common numerators to compare fractions

Fractions can be compared with common numerators, not just common denominators, \cfrac{6}{11}>\cfrac{6}{17}.

If two fractions have the same numerator, the one with the smaller denominator will be the larger fraction.

• Not simplifying the fraction when converting a mixed number

When converting \cfrac{24}{16} to a mixed number it is important to also simplify the fraction.

\cfrac{24}{16}=1\cfrac{8}{16}=1\cfrac{1}{2}

• Not simplifying a fraction fully

We must be careful to divide both the numerator and the denominator by their highest common factor to simplify a fraction fully. This can be done in stages if necessary.

\cfrac{60}{96}=\cfrac{30}{48}=\cfrac{15}{24}=\cfrac{5}{8}

The next lessons are

• Negative numbers
• Decimals
• Percentages

Still stuck?

Prepare your KS4 students for maths GCSEs success with Third Space Learning. Weekly online one to one GCSE maths revision lessons delivered by expert maths tutors.

Find out more about our GCSE maths tuition programme.