Common (vulgar) fractions

A common fraction (or vulgarfraction) is a rational number written as one integer (the numerator) divided by another non-zero integer (the denominator) such as .

A common fraction is said to be a proper fraction if the absolute value of the numerator is less than the absolute value of the denominator, that is, if the absolute value of the entire fraction is less than 1; a common fraction is said to be an improper fraction if the absolute value of the numerator is greater than or equal to the absolute value of the denominator (e.g. ).

Task 1. Find in the text:

a. The origin of the word ‘fraction’.

b. Three types of fractions used today.

c. Another word for ‘common fraction’.

d. The definition of a proper fraction.

e. The definition of an improper fraction.