In a fraction, which part is the numerator?

In a fraction, which part is the numerator?

• A. The bottom number.
• B. The top number.
• C. The sum of the numerator and denominator.
• D. The product of the numerator and denominator.

Answer: (B)

Fractions represent parts of a whole: the denominator shows how many equal parts make up the whole, and the numerator shows how many of those parts are being considered. The top number is the numerator, so it tells exactly how many parts are selected. For example, in 3/4, the top number 3 indicates three parts out of four equal parts are taken. The bottom number 4 is the denominator, the total number of parts. The sum or product of the two numbers isn’t what defines the fraction.

Fractions represent parts of a whole: the denominator shows how many equal parts make up the whole, and the numerator shows how many of those parts are being considered. The top number is the numerator, so it tells exactly how many parts are selected. For example, in 3/4, the top number 3 indicates three parts out of four equal parts are taken. The bottom number 4 is the denominator, the total number of parts. The sum or product of the two numbers isn’t what defines the fraction.