A fraction whose numerical value is between 0 and 1 is called a proper fraction.
Understanding Proper Fractions
A proper fraction is a type of fraction where the numerator (the top number) is smaller than the denominator (the bottom number). This inherently means the fraction represents a value less than one whole unit.
- Numerator < Denominator: This is the defining characteristic.
- Value between 0 and 1: When you perform the division (numerator / denominator), the result will always be a number greater than 0 but less than 1.
Examples of Proper Fractions
Here are some examples to illustrate the concept:
- 1/2 (One-half)
- 3/4 (Three-quarters)
- 7/8 (Seven-eighths)
- 15/16 (Fifteen-sixteenths)
- 99/100 (Ninety-nine hundredths)
In each of these examples, the numerator is smaller than the denominator, and the resulting value is between 0 and 1. On a number line, these fractions would be located between 0 and 1.
Contrast with Improper Fractions
It's important to distinguish proper fractions from improper fractions. An improper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator. Improper fractions have a value greater than or equal to 1. For instance, 5/4 is an improper fraction because 5 is greater than 4, and its value is 1.25 (which is greater than 1).
Summary
In summary, a proper fraction is a fraction that represents a value less than one, characterized by having a smaller numerator than denominator.
