Fraction
/ˈfrækʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA part of a whole; a number expressed as a quotient (e.g., 1/2, 3/4).
/ˈfrækʃən/
A part of a whole number
The recipe calls for a fraction of a cup of salt.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a pizza. If you cut it into slices, each slice is a fraction of the whole pizza! It's a part of something.
👶 For kids: A fraction is just a piece of something. Like if you cut a cake, each piece is a fraction.
More Examples
The class studied how to simplify fractions.
Only a small fraction of the budget was spent on advertising.
How It's Used
"He learned about adding fractions in school."
"A small fraction of the people in the city attended the concert."
A small or tiny part, amount, or proportion of something.
/ˈfrækʃən/
He saw it in a fraction of a second.
💡 Simply: Imagine something big, like a huge group of people. If you're talking about just a few, you can say it's just a fraction of the group.
👶 For kids: A fraction is a tiny, tiny little piece of something, like a sprinkle of glitter.
More Examples
Only a fraction of the original population remained after the disaster.
A fraction of their income goes towards savings.
How It's Used
"A fraction of a second passed before the accident."
"The company only had a small fraction of the market share."
A small dissenting group within a larger one; a division.
/ˈfrækʃən/
A disagreement or conflict within a larger group.
The political party was split into several fractions after the scandal.
💡 Simply: Imagine your group of friends is arguing. If some of you start disagreeing with others and there's a split, that could be called a fraction.
👶 For kids: Sometimes a group of friends might start to argue, and they split into smaller groups. Those smaller groups are a little bit like a fraction!
More Examples
Internal fractions weakened the organization.
The family faced fractions due to a conflict over inheritance.
How It's Used
"There was a fraction within the party over the new policy."
"The family experienced a fraction during the holidays."
Idioms & expressions
a fraction of
A small part or amount of something.
"He ate only a fraction of the pizza."
in a fraction of a second
Very quickly.
"He reacted in a fraction of a second to avoid the collision."
From Latin *fractio* ('a breaking'), derived from *frangere* ('to break'). Initially referred to a breaking or division, later specifically applied to mathematical divisions.
The word 'fraction' in its mathematical sense dates back to the late 14th century, initially used for a portion or a broken part. Its figurative use referring to divisions within groups started developing from the 17th century onwards.
Memory tip
Think of a broken pie: each slice is a fraction.