Meaning & use
compound fractions
Last updated
“compound fractions” is a form of “compound fraction”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraltechnical
Fractions that have a fraction in the top, the bottom, or both, such as one half over three quarters.
Grammar: Plural: these compound fractions can be simplified.
Patterns
- simplify compound fractions
We simplified the compound fractions on the worksheet.
Compound fractions look complicated but can be turned into one fraction.
The teacher showed how to divide compound fractions.
nounpluralold-fashioned
In some older books, mixed numbers that have a whole number and a fraction.
Grammar: Older use; today mixed numbers is preferred.
Older textbooks call mixed numbers compound fractions.
He studied compound fractions in his old math book.
Some compound fractions can be changed to improper fractions.
Word forms
| singular | compound fraction |
|---|
Common combinations
- simplify compound fractions
- Students simplify compound fractions.
- solve compound fractions
- She can solve compound fractions quickly.
- compound fractions exercises
- The compound fractions exercises were long.
- convert compound fractions
- Convert compound fractions into simple ones.
Synonyms and how they differ
- complex fractions
- Complex fractions is the modern term in many books for fractions with fractions in them.
- mixed numbers
- Mixed numbers is the clearer modern term for a whole number plus a fraction.
- stacked fractions
- Stacked fractions is informal and describes the look of fractions on top of fractions.
Opposites
Word family
- fraction noun
- a part of a whole number
- fractional adjective
- relating to a fraction
- compound adjective
- made of several parts
Commonly confused: compound fractions or compound interest?
compound fractions vs compound interest
Compound interest is interest earned on interest, not a type of fraction.
Practice
A fraction with another fraction in its denominator is often called one of the ______.
Choose one answer.
Fractions containing fractions are called compound (or complex) fractions. The other options are different math ideas.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compound fractions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.