Grade 3

What is a denominator?

denominator

The number under the line in a fraction. It tells how many equal parts the whole was cut into.

For example

Cut a sweetbread into 4 equal parts: 4 is the denominator.

In Grade 3

Children count the equal parts a whole was cut into before writing that number under the line.

Watch out for

Children often think a bigger denominator makes a bigger fraction. More parts means each part is smaller, not larger.

Say it at home

Cut a roti into more and more pieces and ask whether each piece grows or shrinks.

Younger children may meet this as: bottom number.

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