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Fraction vocabulary words for math class

This list is for students learning to name, compare, and calculate with fractions in math class. Use it alongside your textbook to check unfamiliar terms before a lesson, or review the words together as a class before a quiz on fraction operations and word problems.

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Fraction vocabulary words for math class

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
numeratornounThe number or expression above the fraction bar, indicating what is divided by the denominator.The numerator of 5/8 is 5.
denominatornounThe number or expression below the fraction bar, indicating what the numerator is divided by.The denominator of 7/10 is 10.
fractionnounA number written as one quantity divided by another, with a numerator and a nonzero denominator.The fraction 3/4 represents three of four equal parts of a whole.
improper fractionnounA fraction in which the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator.Seven over four is an improper fraction, since seven is larger than four.
proper fractionnounA fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator, representing a value less than one.Three-fourths is a proper fraction because three is less than four.
mixed numbernounA number made up of a whole number combined with a proper fraction, such as two and one half.The recipe calls for one and a half cups of flour, written as the mixed number 1½.
equivalent fractionsnounFractions that have different numerators and denominators but represent the same value.One half and two quarters are equivalent fractions because they represent the same amount.
simplifyverbTo make something easier to understand or do by removing unnecessary complexity.The teacher simplified the instructions so that younger students could follow them.
reduceverbTo make something smaller in size, amount, or degree.The company reduced its workforce by twenty percent to cut costs during the recession.
lowest termsnounThe simplest form of a fraction, in which the numerator and denominator share no common factor besides one.Reduce the fraction 8/12 to its lowest terms, which is 2/3.
common denominatornounA shared feature, interest, or standard that connects different people or things; in mathematics, a shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions.Curiosity was the common denominator among all the scientists at the conference.
least common denominatornounThe smallest common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions, used to add or subtract them.To add one-third and one-fourth, first find the least common denominator, which is twelve.
reciprocaladjectiveGiven, felt, or done by each of two people or groups to the other; mutual.The two countries signed a reciprocal trade agreement that lowered tariffs on both sides.
cross-multiplyverbTo multiply the numerator of one fraction by the denominator of another to compare or solve equations.To solve for x, cross-multiply the two fractions and simplify the equation.
whole numbernounA number without fractions or decimals, such as 0, 1, 2, or 3.Round your answer to the nearest whole number before writing it down.
unit fractionnounA fraction in which the numerator is one, such as one half or one third.One quarter is a unit fraction because its numerator is exactly one.
benchmark fractionnounA common, easy-to-visualize fraction, such as one half or one quarter, used to estimate or compare other fractions.Students compared three eighths to the benchmark fraction one half to see it was smaller.
decimaladjectiveRelating to a number system based on units of ten, or a fraction written using a point followed by tenths, hundredths, and so on.Please round your answer to two decimal places.
percentnounOne part in every hundred, used to express a proportion or rate.Only ten percent of the students missed the deadline for their essays.
rationounA comparison of two quantities by division.The ratio of red beads to blue beads is 2 to 3.
quotientnounThe result of dividing one number or expression by another.The quotient of 36 divided by 9 is 4.
dividendnounA sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders from its profits.The company increased its quarterly dividend after a strong year of sales.
divisornounA number by which another number is divided.In the equation twenty divided by four equals five, four is the divisor.
factornounA number multiplied by another number to produce a product; for integers, a factor divides another integer without a remainder.In 3 × 8 = 24, both 3 and 8 are factors of 24.
multiplenounA number obtained by multiplying a given number by an integer.Twenty-four is a multiple of 6 because 6 × 4 = 24.
greatest common factornounThe largest number that divides evenly into two or more given numbers.The greatest common factor of twelve and eighteen is six.
simplest formnounThe version of a fraction reduced so that its numerator and denominator share no common factor besides one.To write six-eighths in simplest form, divide both numbers by two to get three-fourths.
invertverbTo turn something upside down, reverse its position, or switch it into the opposite order.She inverted the glass jar to let the excess water drain out completely.
convertverbTo change something from one form, use, or system into another, or to change a person's beliefs or religion.The old factory was converted into loft apartments after the company closed.
fraction barnounThe horizontal or diagonal line separating the numerator and denominator in a fraction.The fraction bar in three-fourths shows that three is divided by four.

Dividing fractions vocabulary

Dividing fractions relies on a few specific terms. The reciprocal is a fraction flipped upside down, and to invert a fraction means to swap its numerator and denominator. Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal, sometimes called the invert-and-multiply method. Knowing these words makes division steps easier to follow and explain.

Frequently asked questions

What is a reciprocal?

A reciprocal is a fraction with its numerator and denominator swapped, such as 3/4 becoming 4/3. Multiplying a number by its reciprocal always equals 1.

How do you simplify a fraction?

To simplify a fraction, divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor until the fraction is in its simplest form, also called lowest terms.