Fractions and decimals glossary

Fraction
Any part of a whole. When you divide something into equal pieces, each piece is a fraction of the whole thing.

Numerator and denominator

Common fraction or proper fraction
Common fractions are smaller than 1. They are also called proper fractions. E.g.

Improper fraction or top heavy fraction
A fraction bigger than 1. They are also called top heavy fractions. E.g.

Mixed number
Mixed numbers are bigger than 1. A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a common fraction. E.g. 2

Equivalent fraction
Fractions that have the same value. You can make equivalent fractions by multiplying or dividing the top and bottom of a fraction by the same number.

Reducing, simplifying or cancelling down fractions
To simplify a fraction you divide the numerator and the denominator by the largest number that divides both exactly. The value of the fraction stays the same. This is also called reducing or simplifying.

Decimal
A number less than 1. Decimals are fractions with a denominator of 10, 100, 1 000 etc. They have a decimal point.

Decimal places
The numbers after the decimal point. It can be shortened to d.p.
E.g. 10.948 has three decimal places after the point.

Compare
When you compare fractions, decimals or percentages, you have to work out the difference between the numbers.

You'll find more maths words explained in the Skillswise Glossary.