Types of fractions

Common Fraction. A common fraction is a number that has the numerator and the denominator represented by numbers placed the one above and the other below a horizontal line. 3/7 is a common fraction.

Proper Fraction. If the numerator of a fraction is less than denominator the fraction is called a proper fraction. The value of a proper fraction is always less than 1. 6/7, 1/5 and 9/10 are proper fractions.

Improper Fraction. If the numerator of a fraction is equal to¹ or larger than the denominator, the fraction is called a improper fraction. The value of an improper fraction is equal to or larger than 1. 5/3, 3/2, 8/8 are improper fractions.

Mixed number. A number which consists of a whole number and a fraction is called a mixed number.2¼, 5¾, 9¼ are mixed numbers.

Reducing a Fraction to Lower Terms. For convenience and clarity a fraction must always be expressed in its simplest form. That is, it must be reduced to its lowest terms. To reduce a fraction to its lowest terms², divide the numerator and the denominator by the largest number that will divide into both of them evenly.

The process of crossing all common factors out of numerator and denominator is called the redaction of a fraction to its lowest terms. The greatest (largest) quantity which is a common divisor of two or more quantities is called a greatest common divisor of these quantities. It is written G.C.D.

Notes:

1 is equal to – равно

2 to reduce a fraction to its lowest terms —здесь, для того, чтобы сократить дробь