Proper Fractions

Proper fractions are one of three very important terms your child needs to be familiar with - the other two are:

  1. Improper Fractions and
  2. Mixed Numbers

Both of which I explain in detail in their individual sections.

So what are Proper fractions?

They are fractions where the numerator is less than the denominator, so even though they are written as a fraction, their value is greater than one.

Proper fractions are important to recognize as by doing so you can immediately say it is less than or greater than one.  This is important when your student starts comparing and ordering fractions.

The Facts about Proper Fractions

Visual representations of Proper Fractions

Express 3/4 using a diagram

Explanation

Each piece is 1/4, but we have 3.  

3 < 4 (the numerator must be less than the denominator) so this IS a proper fraction.

Express 3/4 using a diagram

Explanation

Each piece is 1/3 - we have four pieces, so the fraction is represented by 4/3.  We can clearly see that this is >1 so this is NOT a proper fraction.

With practice your child will soon be able to recognize proper fractions. 

Be sure to take advantage of our fraction worksheets .  Please also, don't forget to print out some fraction manipulatives .  When these are used, identifying proper and improper fractions is done quickly and easily.

Move from proper fractions  to printable math worksheets home page or K6Math to check out all that I have on offer.


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