What is a Fraction? Parts and Meaning
A fraction, in the simplest meaning of the word, refers to a quantity that is not a whole, thus expressing a part-whole relationship. In terms of mathematics, a fraction represents a number of parts of a whole. So, if we represent 7 parts of a whole that has a total of 10 parts, then a fraction would be represented as 7 ÷ 10.
A fraction is represented in terms of the part and whole, separated by a line of division. A mathematical fraction also has 2 parts:
- Numerator: This appears on the top of the line of division and represents the part.
- Denominator: This appears below the line of division and represents the whole.
Types of Fractions
Proper Fraction
A proper fraction refers to a fraction which has a numerator that is smaller than the denominator. E.g., 2/5.
Improper Fraction
An improper fraction refers to a fraction in which the denominator is smaller than the numerator. E.g., 8/5.
Mixed Fraction
A mixed fraction consists of a whole number and a fraction. E.g., 1 3/5.
How to Perform Operations
Performing mathematical operations on fractions may seem complex, but specific rules make it easier.
Addition & Subtraction
Ensure fractions have a common denominator (LCM) before adding or subtracting numerators.
Multiplication
Multiply numerators together and denominators together. Simplify the result.
Common Engineering Fraction to Decimal Conversions
| 64th | 32nd | 16th | 8th | 4th | 2nd | Decimal | MM |
|---|
| 1/64 | | | | | | 0.015625 | 0.396875 |
| 2/64 | 1/32 | | | | | 0.03125 | 0.79375 |
| 3/64 | | | | | | 0.046875 | 1.190625 |
| 4/64 | 2/32 | 1/16 | | | | 0.0625 | 1.5875 |
| 5/64 | | | | | | 0.078125 | 1.984375 |
| 6/64 | 3/32 | | | | | 0.09375 | 2.38125 |
| 7/64 | | | | | | 0.109375 | 2.778125 |
| 8/64 | 4/32 | 2/16 | 1/8 | | | 0.125 | 3.175 |
| 9/64 | | | | | | 0.140625 | 3.571875 |
| 10/64 | 5/32 | | | | | 0.15625 | 3.96875 |
| 11/64 | | | | | | 0.171875 | 4.365625 |
| 12/64 | 6/32 | 3/16 | | | | 0.1875 | 4.7625 |
| 13/64 | | | | | | 0.203125 | 5.159375 |
| 14/64 | 7/32 | | | | | 0.21875 | 5.55625 |
| 15/64 | | | | | | 0.234375 | 5.953125 |
| 16/64 | 8/32 | 4/16 | 2/8 | 1/4 | | 0.25 | 6.35 |
| 17/64 | | | | | | 0.265625 | 6.746875 |
| 18/64 | 9/32 | | | | | 0.28125 | 7.14375 |
| 19/64 | | | | | | 0.296875 | 7.540625 |
| 20/64 | 10/32 | 5/16 | | | | 0.3125 | 7.9375 |
| 21/64 | | | | | | 0.328125 | 8.334375 |
| 22/64 | 11/32 | | | | | 0.34375 | 8.73125 |
| 23/64 | | | | | | 0.359375 | 9.128125 |
| 24/64 | 12/32 | 6/16 | 3/8 | | | 0.375 | 9.525 |
| 25/64 | | | | | | 0.390625 | 9.921875 |
| 26/64 | 13/32 | | | | | 0.40625 | 10.31875 |
| 27/64 | | | | | | 0.421875 | 10.715625 |
| 28/64 | 14/32 | 7/16 | | | | 0.4375 | 11.1125 |
| 29/64 | | | | | | 0.453125 | 11.509375 |
| 30/64 | 15/32 | | | | | 0.46875 | 11.90625 |
| 31/64 | | | | | | 0.484375 | 12.303125 |
| 32/64 | 16/32 | 8/16 | 4/8 | 2/4 | 1/2 | 0.5 | 12.7 |
| 33/64 | | | | | | 0.515625 | 13.096875 |
| 34/64 | 17/32 | | | | | 0.53125 | 13.49375 |
| 35/64 | | | | | | 0.546875 | 13.890625 |
| 36/64 | 18/32 | 9/16 | | | | 0.5625 | 14.2875 |
| 37/64 | | | | | | 0.578125 | 14.684375 |
| 38/64 | 19/32 | | | | | 0.59375 | 15.08125 |
| 39/64 | | | | | | 0.609375 | 15.478125 |
| 40/64 | 20/32 | 10/16 | 5/8 | | | 0.625 | 15.875 |
| 41/64 | | | | | | 0.640625 | 16.271875 |
| 42/64 | 21/32 | | | | | 0.65625 | 16.66875 |
| 43/64 | | | | | | 0.671875 | 17.065625 |
| 44/64 | 22/32 | 11/16 | | | | 0.6875 | 17.4625 |
| 45/64 | | | | | | 0.703125 | 17.859375 |
| 46/64 | 23/32 | | | | | 0.71875 | 18.25625 |
| 47/64 | | | | | | 0.734375 | 18.653125 |
| 48/64 | 24/32 | 12/16 | 6/8 | 3/4 | | 0.75 | 19.05 |
| 49/64 | | | | | | 0.765625 | 19.446875 |
| 50/64 | 25/32 | | | | | 0.78125 | 19.84375 |
| 51/64 | | | | | | 0.796875 | 20.240625 |
| 52/64 | 26/32 | 13/16 | | | | 0.8125 | 20.6375 |
| 53/64 | | | | | | 0.828125 | 21.034375 |
| 54/64 | 27/32 | | | | | 0.84375 | 21.43125 |
| 55/64 | | | | | | 0.859375 | 21.828125 |
| 56/64 | 28/32 | 14/16 | 7/8 | | | 0.875 | 22.225 |
| 57/64 | | | | | | 0.890625 | 22.621875 |
| 58/64 | 29/32 | | | | | 0.90625 | 23.01875 |
| 59/64 | | | | | | 0.921875 | 23.415625 |
| 60/64 | 30/32 | 15/16 | | | | 0.9375 | 23.8125 |
| 61/64 | | | | | | 0.953125 | 24.209375 |
| 62/64 | 31/32 | | | | | 0.96875 | 24.60625 |
| 63/64 | | | | | | 0.984375 | 25.003125 |
| 64/64 | 32/32 | 16/16 | 8/8 | 4/4 | 2/2 | 1 | 25.4 |
