Fractions
Number line
When we first thought about the number line, we counted only in whole numbers - we went straight from zero to one to two to three. But what if we wanted to stop in between the numbers?
If we stop halfway between 0 and 1, we call that number a half - 1/2 - one out of two parts of a whole number. If we stop halfway between 0 and 1/2, we call that number a quarter - 1/4 - one out of four parts of a whole number. If we stop halfway between 2 and 3, we call that number 2 1/2. Or we can call it 5/2 - five halves, instead of 2 1/2 whole numbers. Or we could call it 10/4 - ten quarters of a whole number.
When we write fractions this way, we call the top number the numerator and the bottom number the denominator.
Another way to write the numbers that come between whole numbers is as decimals.
To find out more about numbers, check out these books from Amazon.com or from your library:
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