Introduction to Fractions (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Maths: Core): Flashcards

Exam code: 0580 & 0980

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  • Define the denominator of a fraction.

Cards in this collection (22)

  • Define the denominator of a fraction.

    The denominator is the number on the bottom of a fraction, and it tells you how many equal parts each whole is split into.

    In \frac{2}{3} the denominator is 3, so each whole is split into three equal parts.

  • True or False?

    To shade \frac{5}{7} of a grid of 21 equal squares, the shaded squares must be next to each other.

    False.

    What matters is how many of the equal parts are shaded, not which ones, so any 15 of the 21 squares shows \frac{5}{7}.

  • Define the numerator of a fraction.

    The numerator is the number on the top of a fraction, and it tells you how many of the equal parts you have.

    In \frac{2}{3} the numerator is 2, so you have two of the three equal parts.

  • How can you tell straight away whether a fraction is less than 1?

    A fraction is less than 1 when the numerator is smaller than the denominator, because you have fewer parts than it takes to make a whole.

    So \frac{2}{3} is less than 1, and \frac{7}{5} is greater than 1.

  • True or False?

    \frac{6}{6} is equal to 1.

    True.

    The whole has been split into six equal parts and you have all six of them, so together they make one whole.

  • How do you find \frac{2}{5} of 60?

    Divide by the denominator, then multiply by the numerator.

    Here 60 \div 5 = 12, and then 12 \times 2 = 24.

  • Complete the working, which finds \frac{9}{10} of 15 by first writing the fraction as a decimal:

    \frac{9}{10} \text{ of } 15 = \_\_\_\_\_\_ \times 15 = \_\_\_\_\_\_

    The completed working is:

    \frac{9}{10} \text{ of } 15 = 0 . 9 \times 15 = 13 . 5

    Writing the fraction as a decimal turns the whole thing into a single multiplication.

  • How do you turn "\frac{2}{3} of 60" into a multiplication of two fractions?

    The word of means multiply, and a whole number can be written as a fraction over 1:

    \frac{2}{3} \text{ of } 60 = \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{60}{1} = \frac{120}{3} = 40

  • True or False?

    You can find a fraction of another fraction, such as \frac{5}{6} of \frac{8}{3}.

    True.

    The amount does not have to be a whole number, and \frac{5}{6} of \frac{8}{3} comes to \frac{40}{18}, which simplifies to \frac{20}{9}.

  • Why does finding \frac{1}{3} of 90 by turning the fraction into a decimal give only an approximate answer?

    \frac{1}{3} has no exact decimal form, since \frac{1}{3} = 0 . 333\ldots, so whatever decimal you multiply by has already been rounded.

    One of the other methods gives the exact value instead.

  • Define equivalent fractions.

    Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same amount, written in different ways.

    For example, \frac{1}{2} and \frac{6}{12} are equivalent fractions.

  • How do you find a fraction that is equivalent to \frac{5}{6}?

    Multiply the top and bottom by the same number.

    For example, \frac{5 \times 2}{6 \times 2} = \frac{10}{12} and \frac{5 \times 3}{6 \times 3} = \frac{15}{18}.

  • True or False?

    There are infinitely many fractions equivalent to \frac{5}{6}.

    True.

    The list never ends: \frac{10}{12}, \frac{15}{18} and \frac{20}{24} all equal \frac{5}{6}, and there is always another one after them.

  • Define a simplified fraction.

    A simplified fraction is one written using the smallest possible whole numbers on the top and bottom.

    Simplifying a fraction is also called cancelling it.

  • Complete the working by filling in the number that has been divided by on the top and on the bottom:

    \frac{12}{18} = \frac{12 \div \_\_\_\_\_\_}{18 \div \_\_\_\_\_\_} = \frac{2}{3}

    The completed working is:

    \frac{12}{18} = \frac{12 \div 6}{18 \div 6} = \frac{2}{3}

    The same number goes in both gaps, because the top and the bottom must be divided by a common factor.

  • How can you tell that a fraction cannot be simplified any further?

    There is no whole number greater than 1 that divides into both the top and the bottom.

    For example, \frac{5}{9} cannot be simplified, but \frac{25}{45} can, because 5 divides into both.

  • True or False?

    Simplifying a fraction makes it smaller.

    False.

    Only the two numbers get smaller, and the fraction is still worth exactly the same: \frac{12}{18} and \frac{2}{3} are the same amount.

  • Define the term top heavy (improper) fraction.

    A top heavy (improper) fraction is one where its numerator is bigger than its denominator.

    E.g. 4 over 3 is a top heavy fraction.

  • Define the term mixed number.

    A mixed number is a whole number added together with a fraction.

    E.g. 2 3 over 5is a mixed number.

  • How do you convert a mixed number into a top heavy fraction?

    To convert from a mixed number into a top heavy fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator. Add that value to the numerator. This becomes the new numerator.

    The denominator stays the same.

    E.g. 4 5 over 8 equals fraction numerator 4 cross times 8 plus 5 over denominator 8 end fraction equals 37 over 8

  • How do you convert a top heavy fraction into a mixed number?

    To convert from a top heavy fraction to a mixed number, divide the numerator by the denominator.

    The number of times that the denominator goes into the numerator is the whole number for the mixed number.

    The remainder is the numerator for the mixed number.

    The denominator stays the same.

    E.g. 22 over 7 equals 21 over 7 plus 1 over 7 equals 3 1 over 7

  • True of False?

    Improper fractions is another name for mixed numbers.

    False.

    Improper fractions is another name for top heavy fractions.

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