Like and Unlike Fractions         
             

Like Fractions

We see a group of fractions.

1/3, 2/3, 4/3, 7/3, 8/3, 10/3

We observe that in the group, denominator of each fraction is 3, i.e., the denominators of all the fractions are equal.

Definition: 

Fractions with same denominators (bottom numbers) are called “Like Fractions”.

Examples of like fractions are : 

(1/7, 2/7, 4/7, 9/7, 13/7)

(1/9, 2/9, 5/9, 7/9, 12/9)

(1/10, 3/10, 7/10, 9/10, 14/10)

all are like fractions, all have same denominators.

The fractions 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 have same denominator.

In figure,

One part is shaded out of 4 parts, the fraction represents 1/4.

Two part is shaded out of 4 parts, the fraction represents 2/4.

Three part is shaded out of 4 parts, the fraction represents 3/4.

All are like fractions, because all have same denominators.

Unlike Fractions 

We see a group of fractions.

1/2, 2/5, 4/3, 7/6, 3/8, 2/3

We observe that in the group, denominator of each fraction is different, i.e., the denominators of all the fractions are different.

Definition: 

Fractions with different denominators (bottom numbers) are called “Unlike Fractions”.

Examples of unlike fractions are : 

(1/2, 2/3, 4/5, 9/7, 13/6)

(1/9, 2/5, 5/6, 7/3, 12/7)

(1/4, 3/15, 7/10, 9/8, 14/6)

(1/3, 4/5, 9/7, 13/8)

are unlike fractions, all have different denominators.

In figure,

One part is shaded out of 2 parts, the fraction represents 1/2.

Five part is shaded out of 6 parts, the fraction represents 5/6.

Three part is shaded out of 4 parts, the fraction represents 3/4.

All are unlike fractions, because all have different denominators.

Note: 1. Fractions such as 3/14 and 3/24 are not like fractions.

The numerators same but denominators are not same.

2. whole numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 are like fractions since their denominators are considered as 1.

Which implies these fractions are 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 4/1.