[Maths Class Notes] on Types of Fraction Pdf for Exam

In mathematics, there are mainly three types of fraction namely proper fraction, improper fraction, and mixed fraction. Returns that have numerator and denominator are fractions. Define the types of fractions based on these two terms that are numerator and denominator. For determining the parts of any whole object, fractions are being used. For example, we divide a pizza into 4 pieces. Each piece of Pizza is represented as 1/4th of it. In this case, 1 is the numerator and 4 is the denominator. 

Basically, the ratio of two numbers is considered to be a fraction. The upper number of a fraction is known as a numerator and the lower number of a fraction is known as denominator. When something which is complete or whole is divided into a defined number of parts, then each part of it is considered to be a fraction. 

Apart from these major types of fractions, there are three more types of fractions which are based on numerators and denominators. They are like fractions, unlike fractions and equivalent fractions. Hence, there are 6 types of fractions in total. So the total six types of fractions are proper fraction, improper fraction, mixed fraction, like a fraction, unlike fraction and equivalent fraction.

Types of Fractions

• Proper Fraction – Proper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator of the fraction is less than the denominator of the fraction i.e. numerator < denominator. After further simplicating it, the value of proper fraction is always less than 1. For example – let’s take a fraction 3/5. In this fraction the numerator is 3 and the denominator is 5. We can see that, in this fraction, the numerator is less than the denominator that is 3 < 5. Hence, it is a proper fraction. 

• Improper Fraction – Improper fraction is a fraction in which the numerator of the fraction is greater than the denominator of the fraction i.e. numerator > denominator. When the denominator is always equal to 1, we can represent all the natural numbers in the form of fractions. When we simplify the improper fraction, it will always results in the value which is equal or greater than 1, but not less than 1. For example – I let’s take a fraction 8/5. In this fraction the numerator is 8 and the denominator is 5. It is visible in itself that in this fraction, numerator is greater than denominator that is 8 > 5. Hence, it is an improper fraction. 

• Mixed Fraction – A mixed fraction is a fraction in which there is a combination of a natural number and fraction. Basically it is an improper fraction. Mixed fraction has an advantage that it can always be converted into a fraction. Also, an improper fraction is convertible into a mixed fraction. Mixed fractions will always be found greater than one. 

• Like Fractions – Like fractions are those fractions which have the same denominators. Examples of like fractions are – ½, 5/2, 7/2, 3/2. We can simplify like fractions very easily, as the denominators of these fractions are the same. So, if we want to add these like fractions, then we have to add up all the numerators, and then divide it by the denominator which is the same in every fraction. The way of doing the same is given below – ½ + 5/2 + 7/2 + 3/2 = (1+5+7+3)/2 = 16/2 = 8.

• Unlike Fractions – Unlike fractions are those fractions which have unequal denominators or different denominators. Examples of like fractions are – ½, ¼, 1/3, 1/5. For simplifying unlike fractions, firstly we need to factorise the denominators and then simplify them (in case of addition and subtraction). Hence, it goes through a lengthy method. For example, we have to add ½ and ¼. Then in this case, firstly, we have to find the LCM of 2 and 4 which is equal to 4. After finding the LCM of denominators, we need to multiply ½ by 4 and ¼ by 2, both in numerator and denominator. Then the fractions will become 4/8 and 2/8. Now if we add 4/8 + 2/8, then the result will be 6/8. 

• Equivalent Fractions – After simplification, when two or more fractions are having the same result, for which they are representing the same portion of the whole, then such fractions are called equivalent fractions and are equal to each other. The example of an equivalent fraction is – ½ and 2/4 are equal, 1/3 and 3/9 are equal.