Fraction (mathematics)

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A cake with one quarter removed. The remaining 3⁄4 of the cake has been divided into two pieces
A cake with one quarter removed. The remaining 34 of the cake has been divided into two pieces

A fraction is a mathematical expression relating two quantities or numbers, one divided by the other. The numbers must be whole numbers (or integers). For example, 1/2 is a fraction.

Mathematically, a fraction is a quotient of numbers, representing the number's value when the numerator is divided by the denominator. Thus 12 means one divided by two, or, in decimals, 0.5.

If you want to have 12 of 12, you have to multiply the denominators. That means: denominator 2 multiplied by 2 equals 4 or: 12 x 12 = 14 or: 0.5 x 0.5 = 0.25

(In this case “12 of” means mathematically "multiplication".)

If you want to have 12 divided by 12, then you have to multiply 12 and the reciprocal of 12, which is 2. Thus, that answer is 1.

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