Fractions are values that represent a part of a whole. The numerator (the number on top) represents the part. The denominator (the number on bottom) represents the whole.
In each of these examples, the part is representative of the whole. If we are looking for the part, we look at the number that is displayed on top. If we are looking for the whole, we look at the number that is displayed on bottom.
Number lines and fraction strips help us understand how the whole is broken down into parts.
See the attached image for examples of how to draw number lines and fraction strips to represent parts of wholes.
