Meaning & use
benchmark fraction
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A common, easily pictured fraction such as one half or one quarter, used to estimate or compare other fractions.
Grammar: Countable; plural is 'benchmark fractions'. Often used with 'use' or 'compare to'.
Patterns
- use a benchmark fraction to estimate
- compare a fraction to a benchmark fraction
- benchmark fractions like 1/2, 1/4, and 1/3
In math class, we used 1/2 as a benchmark fraction to decide whether 5/8 is more or less than half.
A benchmark fraction helps you judge the size of an unfamiliar fraction quickly.
The teacher asked us to list benchmark fractions on the board: 0, 1/2, and 1.
Word forms
| plural | benchmark fractions |
|---|
Common combinations
- use a benchmark fraction
- You can use a benchmark fraction like 1/4 to estimate 3/16.
- compare to a benchmark fraction
- Compare 7/10 to the benchmark fraction 1/2.
- common benchmark fraction
- One half is the most common benchmark fraction.
- benchmark fraction chart
- The wall had a benchmark fraction chart for reference.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reference fraction
- A less common term for a fraction used as a standard; 'benchmark fraction' is the usual term in school math.
Word family
Commonly confused: benchmark fraction or equivalent fraction?
benchmark fraction vs equivalent fraction
Equivalent fractions are different fractions that name the same amount (e.g., 1/2 and 2/4); benchmark fractions are familiar fractions used for estimating.
Practice
Which of these is a benchmark fraction commonly used to estimate?
Choose one answer.
1/2 is an easy-to-picture fraction often used as a benchmark. The others are not standard benchmark fractions because they are less familiar and harder to visualize quickly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “benchmark fraction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.