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).