What is fraction? Pronunciation and usage in English

fraction means . Learn how to pronounce and use fraction through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of fraction

fractionnoun

/ˈfrakʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of fraction

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fraction" in English. Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The Pronunciation:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈfrækʃən/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. “frac”: This is pronounced like "frak" – as in, "fragrant." The "a" is a short "a" sound, like in "cat."

  2. “tion”: This is pronounced like "shun." It’s similar to how you'd pronounce "vision" or "motion."

Putting it together:

It flows like: “frak-shun”

Here's a resource to help you hear it:

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "frak" sound: This is often the trickiest part for learners. Practice saying "fragrant" a few times.
  • Keep the “shun” sound consistent: Don’t let the “shun” part sound like “she shun.”
  • Don’t over-emphasize the first syllable: It’s a fairly even rhythm.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some common mispronunciations?

Usage and examples with the word fraction in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fraction" in English. It has multiple meanings, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As a Math Term (Most Common Usage):

  • Definition: In mathematics, a fraction represents a part of a whole. It's written as a number separated by a line (e.g., 1/2, 3/4, 5/8).
  • Parts of a Fraction:
    • Numerator: The top number (the part you're considering).
    • Denominator: The bottom number (the total number of equal parts the whole is divided into).
  • Examples:
    • "I ate one-half (1/2) of the pizza."
    • “He scored three-quarters (3/4) of the points.”
    • "The recipe calls for a fraction of a cup of flour – specifically, 1/4 cup."
    • “The fraction of students who passed the exam was 80%.” (80/100)

2. As a General Word Meaning a Small Part or Portion:

  • Definition: "Fraction" can be used more broadly to describe a small part or proportion of something. It implies something is less than the whole.
  • Examples:
    • "He only got a fraction of the money he expected." (meaning a small portion)
    • “There was just a fraction of a second before the car crashed.” (meaning a very brief amount of time)
    • “She only felt a fraction of the pain he did.” (meaning a small amount of pain)
    • “A fraction of the company's profits went to charity.” (meaning a small percentage)

3. As a Verb (Less Common):

  • Definition: “To fraction” means to divide into fractions or to break something down into smaller parts.
  • Examples:
    • “The teacher decided to fraction the work among the students.” (meaning to divide it)
    • "They fractioned the long journey into shorter, more manageable stops." (meaning to break it down)

Key Considerations:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of “fraction” is almost always determined by the situation. Pay attention to the words around it.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you might be able to use synonyms like "part," "portion," "share," "segment," "amount," or "proportion."

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Use Definition Example
Math Part of a whole "A fraction of the cake is left."
General Small part or proportion "He received only a fraction of the bonus."
Verb To divide into fractions "The farmer fractioned the land."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "fraction"? (e.g., writing a math problem, describing a situation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word fraction

Practice with vocabulary fraction

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Despite receiving a significant grant, the company allocated only a small ______ of its budget to research and development this quarter.
  2. In mathematics, a ______ represents a part of a whole, expressed as a numerator over a denominator.
  3. The new software update has introduced a critical bug that affects a substantial ______ of users globally.
  4. After extensive data analysis, the researchers concluded that only a small _______ of the population showed resistance to the new treatment.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms describes a numerical value that represents a part of a whole? a) Integer b) Whole number c) Fraction d) Numerator

  2. In financial reporting, a very small, often insignificant, portion of revenue might be referred to as a: a) Majority b) Fraction c) Minority d) Trifle

  3. Which terms are commonly used to describe parts of a whole or a smaller portion of a larger entity? a) Proportion b) Integer c) Fraction d) Segment

  4. A number without any fractional or decimal part is called a(n): a) Rational number b) Whole number c) Decimal d) Integer

  5. What is the mathematical term for the result obtained by dividing one number by another? a) Product b) Quotient c) Dividend d) Remainder

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Only a very small part of the population actually understands complex economic models. (Rewrite using "fraction")
  2. The new regulations will have a slight effect on the company's profit margins. (Rewrite using a related word form of "fraction")
  3. Despite the team's best efforts, only a small amount of progress was made on the difficult project. (Rewrite without using "fraction" or its forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. fraction
  2. fraction
  3. segment
  4. percentage

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Fraction
  2. b) Fraction
  3. a) Proportion, c) Fraction, d) Segment
  4. b) Whole number, d) Integer
  5. b) Quotient

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Only a tiny fraction of the population actually understands complex economic models.
  2. The new regulations will fractionally affect the company's profit margins. (or: The new regulations will have a fractional effect on the company's profit margins.)
  3. Despite the team's best efforts, only a small portion of progress was made on the difficult project.

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