Fractions and percentages 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.

Percent
Percent means 'out of a hundred'. It is a fraction with 100 as the denominator. The % sign is used as a short way of writing percent.
E.g. 20% means 20 percent. This is 20 out of 100 and is written as

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.