What is a unit fraction?

A unit fraction is any fraction that has 1 as its top number, such as 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4. It represents a single equal part of a whole. Unit fractions are the building blocks of all other fractions, since 3/4 is just three lots of 1/4.

Examples

• 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 are all unit fractions.
• 1/5 of 10 is 2.
• Three 1/8 pieces make 3/8.

Quick facts

• The larger the denominator of a unit fraction, the smaller the piece: 1/10 < 1/4.
• Every fraction is made from copies of a unit fraction.