If we have to divide evenly 6 apples to 3 children, then we perform the operation:

• 6÷3 = 2
• so we know that each child will get 2 apples.

If we have to divide evenly 2 apples to 3 children, then we perform the operation:

• 2÷3 = ?
• this operation has no solution in the set of natural numbers;
• however we will be able to divide the apples with the help of a knife: the quantity of apple for each child will be defined using the fraction ²/₃
• all similar cases lead to fractions.

Fractions are formed by dividing numbers:

• each fraction has the form ^a/_b
• "a" is the numerator, written above the fraction bar;
• "b" is the denominator, written below the fraction bar; "b" may not be zero;
• "b" shows us in how many equal parts "a" has been divided;
• the value of the fraction is calculated by dividing the numerator, "a", by the denominator, "b":
• "a"÷"b"
• these fractions, in which both the numerator and the denominator are integers, are called ordinary fractions (also called normal, or simple).