Fractions More than One, Less than One and Equal to One

When you look at a fraction, the first thing you need to know is if it's greater (larger) than one, less (smaller) than one, or equal to one. There are some simple rules that make this quick and easy to do.

If the bottom number (denominator) is 1, then the fraction equals a whole number. For example, the fraction equals six wholes. The fraction equals fourteen wholes. A fraction is equal to one if the bottom number and the top number (numerator) are equal. The fraction is equal to one whole. This fraction is really saying nine out of nine. The fraction also equals one whole.

Now let's look at the rules for fractions less than and greater than one. If the top number is less than the bottom number, the fraction is less than one. The fraction is less than one whole because 1 is less than 3. The fraction is less than one because 2 is less than 5. What about the fraction ? It's also less than one.

It gets a little tricky when you have fractions that are greater than one. If the top number is greater than the bottom number, the fraction is greater than one. The fraction is greater than one whole because 6 is greater than 3. In fact, you know that is equal to two wholes, because 6 divided by 3 equals 2 (6 ÷ 3 = 2). When the top number is greater than the bottom number, it is called an improper fraction. The fractions and are improper fractions.