Types of Fractions

Types of Fractions for Class 5 Maths

In mathematics, there are three major types of fractions. Here students will learn the fraction definition and examples.

In this learning concept, the students will learn to

• classify proper fraction definitions and improper fraction definitions.
• Identify the mixed fraction definition and equivalent fraction definition.
• Evaluate the like and unlike fractions.

Each concept is explained to class 5 maths students using illustrations, examples, and mind maps. Students can assess their learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the page’s end.

Download the types of fraction worksheet for class 5 and check the solutions for the types of fractions provided in PDF format.

Fraction Definition and Examples:

A fraction is a quantity that expresses a part of the whole.

Example :

Suppose we divide a rectangle into 4 equal parts and colour 1 part.

 indicate the shaded part and 

 indicate non-shaded parts of the whole rectangle.

Terms of a fraction

Fraction in Simplest Form:

Definition: If numerator and denominator have only one common factor that is 1, then that form is the simplest form of the fraction.

Example :Write the simplest form of 

Answer:

Note: To get the simplest form divide numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor.

Divide numerator and denominator by 7.

 = 

 = 

Now, 4 and 5 don’t have any common factor other than 1.

So, 

 is the simplest form of 

There are different types of fractions. Let’s learn the following types of fractions:

What Is Unit Fraction?

A fraction with numerator 1 is known as a unit fraction.

Example :

All the fractions have numerator 1. So all of these are unit fractions.

What Is Proper Fraction?

A fraction with its numerator smaller than its denominator is known as a proper fraction.

Example :

Here, 5 < 8, 3 < 8, 2 < 6

Each numerator is smaller than its denominator. Hence, all of these are proper fractions.

What Is an Improper Fraction?

A fraction with numerator greater than or equal to its denominator is known as an Improper fraction.

Example :

Each circle is divided into 8 parts, in which 11 parts are coloured.

Here, 11 > 8 → Numerator is greater than the denominator.

Each hexagon is divided into 6 parts, in which 12 parts are coloured.

Here, 12 > 6 → Numerator is greater than the denominator.

What Is a Mixed Fraction?

Sum of a whole number and a proper fraction is known as a mixed fraction.

Example :

2 is whole number and 

 is proper fraction.

In the above example, each circle is divided into 8 parts and there 17 parts are coloured. So, we can write above example in the form of Improper fraction as:

Conversion of Improper Fractions Into Mixed Fractions

Step 1: Divide numerator by denominator.

Step 2: Write the quotient as a whole number.

Step 3: Write remainder as numerator.

Step 4: Keep the denominator as it is.

So, the Mixed fraction can be written as: Quotient = 

Example :

Write the 

314

 in the form of a mixed fraction.

Answer:

Step 1: Divide numerator by denominator.

Step 2: Write the quotient as a whole number.

Step 3: Write remainder as numerator.

Step 4: Keep the denominator as it is.

314

 = 7 

34

Conversion of Mixed Fractions Into Improper Fractions

We know that,

Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Remainder.

Follow the steps to convert mixed fraction into improper fraction.

Step 1: Find the numerator of the improper fraction by using:

Denominator × whole number + numerator.

This will be our numerator of the improper fraction.

Step 2: Keep the denominator as it is.

Example :

Convert 7 

34

 into improper fraction.

Answer:

Step 1: Denominator × whole number + numerator.

4 × 7 + 3 = 28 + 3 = 31

So, 31 is our numerator of the improper fraction.

Step 2: Keep the denominator as it is.

7 

34

 = 

314

We got the correct answer.

What Is an Equivalent Fraction?

Fractions that have different numerators and denominators but their simplest form is the same are called equivalent fractions.

Example :

All above fractions are equivalent fractions as they represent the half part of the circle.

Simplest form of 

12

 = 

12

Simplest form of 

24

 = 

2 ÷ 24 ÷ 2

 = 

12

Simplest form of 

36

 = 

3 ÷ 36 ÷ 3

 = 

12

Simplest form of 

48

 = 

4 ÷ 48 ÷ 4

 = 

12

What Is Like Fraction?

Fractions that have the same denominator are called like fractions.

Example :

All fractions have the same denominator as 6. So, all of these are like fractions.

Unlike Fraction Definition:

Fractions that have different denominators are called unlike fractions

Example :

All fractions have different denominators. So, these are unlike fractions.