Fractions is a great study
A very great study indeed,
We can count them like whole numbers
Though not with the same speed.
Zero, one, two, three, four
You can see on a number line
But in between consecutive numbers
The fractions you’ll also find.
They may be written in decimal form
Or in the common-fraction way,
It doesn’t matter which form you use
We have to use them everyday.
They are used to measure distance
And width and height and depth,
They can record the exact length
That an athlete has leapt.
They are used to approximate
As in pour half or a little more
But they can be also precise
As in mixing medicines and more.
View them in capacity and weight
In large sums of money as well,
The scales on which we weigh
Or to record the rain that fell.
Half a portion of chips
Or a quarter pound of cheese,
A quarter past eight in the morning,
Can I have a third of that please?
Fractions are prevalent in circles
An example is the clock face
But also in rectangles and squares
And in any shape you can trace.
In decimal form there’s a point
That comes between ones and tenths,
You’ll find this in capacity and weight
And you’ll also find it in length.
That point is very important
It separates the parts from the wholes,
Use it to separate the ones and tenths
Please do as you are told.
The common fraction is very different
With its numerator and denominator,
These are separated by a vinculum
One on top of the other.
The denominator names the fraction
Be it fourths, or fifths or sixths
And the number of which we are taking
Over of the vinculum is fixed.
The vinculum can indicate division
As in three divided by four,
If you knew that is 0.75
You have already begun to soar.
Therein you see a relationship
Between decimals and fractions
Now calculate one-half and two-fifths
Using the above operation.
Remember when adding fractions
They must carry a common name,
The same must be done for subtraction
But in multiplication and division refrain.
Fractions are a part of everyday life
They feature in so much we do,
Perhaps you can list a number of ways
In which fractions can work for you.
Stewart Russell © October 2018
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