Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion reality check - fractions

I don't understand why schools don't teach the meanings of the words "numerator" and "denominator". They don't mean "top" and "bottom"!

My kids were confused by the school's way of teaching this concept. I explained to them that the numerator enumerates or counts the number of pieces that you have, and the denominator names (from Latin nomen=name) the kind of pieces you have.

Wow, that is so cool! I never knew that, even though I always had a good intuitive grasp of fractions. Thanks!

I agree that is a really great way to explain it! DD9 keeps saying "numberator" even though she knows that's not right. She'll be delighted to use some of the Latin she has learned (she learned numero recently though we haven't covered nomen yet). Thanks for pointing this out!!

Now why couldn't my teachers have taught me this? It is not a difficult concept, once I see it written here. Thanks Cathy!

JumpMath (www.jumpmath.org) used largely in Canada believes in introducing fractions before moving further along in multiplication/division. They claim they have data showing the importance of introducing fractions (including adding/subtraction fractions with different denominators) at this early stage, so that kids can have a better foundation early on in math. I was tempted to have my DS follow their curriculum. He could understand how to add/subtract one third to one forth. But, since his school doesn't introduce fractions until after long division and averages and EPGY doesn't introduce them until later, it was too much work to do myself.