Tuesday 7 February 2012

Unit fractions in Grade III

In this segment we are going to learn about Unit Fractions for Grade III. As the word unit represents 1, we come to the conclusion that:
A fraction is called a unit fraction (also try decimal to fraction calculator) when we have 1 as the numerator (the part above the line) and any of the natural number as the denominator (the part below the line).
We have 1/4, 1/5, 1/45, 1/80 as the fractions. Here we observe that the numerator is 1 and different denominators which are natural numbers.
All these fractions are the examples of natural numbers. If we see carefully 1/4 means that a whole is divided equally into 4 equal parts and we are taking only one part out of 4 parts. Similarly 1/45 means that a whole is divided equally into 45 equal parts and we are taking only one part out of 45 parts.
Unit fraction can also be called the multiplicative inverse of the natural number in denominator. Let us take a number 5. Multiplicative inverse of 5 is 1/5 which is a unit fraction. (read this resource for more information)
Plainly saying, we come to the conclusion that any fraction with 1 as a numerator is a unit fraction.
Let us try some exercise:
Find the unit fractions from the given fractions: 2/5, 3/7, 1/6, 5/9, 1/3.
Here we find that 1/6 and 1/3 are unit fractions as the numerator in these two fractions are 1.
Now we will learn about comparing unit fractions. While comparing the unit fractions, we check that if the denominator is larger, the unit fraction is smaller.
 e.g.: among 1/5 and 1/8 we find the denominator of the fraction 1/8 is bigger than the denominator of 1/5, so 1/8 is smaller than 1/5
   I.e. 1/5 > 1/8

In upcoming posts we will discuss about Equivalent Fractions in Grade III and median. Visit our website for information on CBSE computer science syllabus

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