Common Fractions
A Fraction is one or more of the equal parts into which a unit has been divided. A Common Fraction is expressed by two numbers; the one written above the line is called the Numerator, the one below, the Denominator: both, called the Terms, denote the value of the fraction.
Thus, in the fraction 3⁄4, the denominator 4, denotes that a unit or whole thing has been divided into four equal parts; and the numerator 3, shows that three of those parts are taken or expressed in the fraction.
A Proper Fraction is one whose numerator is less than its denominator; as 1⁄2, 3⁄4, 7⁄8, etc. Its value is always less than 1.
An Improper Fraction is one whose numerator is equal to, or greater than its denominator, as 5⁄5, 9⁄7, 30⁄12, etc. Its value is never less than 1.
A Mixed Number is a whole number and a fraction; as 32⁄5, 101⁄2, 62⁄3.
The mixed number means that there are whole things taken together with a fraction of another.
A Complex Fraction is one in which the numerator or denominator, or both, are fractions.
Thus 31⁄723⁄8, 15⁄6 × 3⁄4, 15⁄178, are complex fractions.