Different Types of Fractions: Definitions, Examples

By a fraction, we mean a part of a whole. It is always of the p/q, where p, q (≠0) are integers. p is called the numerator and q is called the denominator of the fraction p/q. In this post, we will learn different types of fractions with examples.

Types of Fraction

Here, we list various types of fractions along with their definition and examples.

1. Proper Fraction:

A fraction is called a proper fraction if its numerator is less than the denominator. For example, 1/2, 5/7, 1/10, 9/100 are proper fractions.

2. Improper Fraction:

A fraction is said to be an improper fraction if its numerator is greater than the denominator. For example, 3/2, 7/2, 9/5 are improper fractions.

3. Mixed Fraction:

A mixed fraction is obtained by the combination of a natural number and a fraction. So it is one of the form an improper fraction.

For example, $2 \dfrac{1}{3}$ is an example of a mixed fraction as it is a combination of the natural number 2 and the fraction 1/3.

4. Like Fraction:

Fractions having the same denominator are called like fractions. They are also known as similar fractions.

For example, 2/7, 3/7, 9/7, 11/7, 100/7 are like fractions as all of them have the same denominator 7.

5. Unlike Fraction:

Fractions having different denominators are called unlike fractions. They are also known as dissimilar fractions.

For example, 1/7, 3/10 are unlike fractions as they have different denominators 7 and 10.

6. Unit Fraction:

A fraction is called a unit fraction if its numerator is 1.

For example, 1/2, 1/3 are unit fractions.

7. Equivalent Fraction:

Two or more fractions are said to be equivalent if they have the same simplified reduced form.

See that 2/4=1/2. So 1/2 and 2/4 are examples of equivalent fractions.

ALSO READ:

How to Simplify Fractions

Simplified form of 8/12

Remark:

From above, we see that there are 7 types of fractions; but when we talk about types of fractions, we mainly focus on the main 3 types of fractions given below. These types are determined by looking at their numerator and denominator.

• Proper fractions
• Improper fractions
• Mixed fractions.

FAQs