- Definition
This is just the normal way we write a fraction, like 1/2 or 3/4, with one number over another.
Writing 'one part out of three' as 1/3, with the 1 on top of the 3, is using standard fractional notation.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Standard fractional notation is like a bunk bed for numbers, with one on the top bunk and one on the bottom, separated by the bed frame.
Ask your child: If this fraction is a pizza, what does the bottom number tell us?
Common mix-up: Kids may see the top and bottom numbers as separate values. This special notation actually shows one single number that represents a part of a whole.
Examples
- Writing 'two parts out of five' as 2/5.
- Showing that you ate half of a sandwich by writing 1/2.
standard fractional notation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
