What is a unit fraction of 4/5
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answer:
A unit fraction of 45\frac{4}{5} is 15\frac{1}{5}.
Explanation:
A unit fraction is a fraction where the numerator (the top number) is 1 and the denominator (the bottom number) is a positive integer. Examples of unit fractions include 12\frac{1}{2}, 13\frac{1}{3}, 110\frac{1}{10}, and so on.
Given the fraction 45\frac{4}{5}, it means 4 parts out of 5 equal parts of a whole. To express this as a sum of unit fractions, you can think of it as: 45=15+15+15+15\frac{4}{5} = \frac{1}{5} + \frac{1}{5} + \frac{1}{5} + \frac{1}{5}
This means four unit fractions, each 15\frac{1}{5}, added together equal 45\frac{4}{5}.
Why are unit fractions important?
- Historical significance: In ancient mathematics, especially in Egyptian fractions, all fractions were expressed as sums of distinct unit fractions. For example, 45\frac{4}{5} would be represented as the sum of unit fractions.
- Basic understanding of fractions: Recognizing unit fractions helps in understanding the concept of parts of a whole. For example, 15\frac{1}{5} represents one part when the whole is divided into five equal parts.
- Building blocks for fractions: Any fraction can be broken down into a sum of unit fractions. This is helpful for learning fraction addition and subtraction, especially for young learners.
Summary:
- A unit fraction always has 1 as the numerator.
- 45\frac{4}{5} can be thought of as four unit fractions 15\frac{1}{5} added together.
- Unit fractions help simplify and explain the concept of fractions by breaking them down into smaller, understandable parts.
Therefore, the unit fraction associated with 45\frac{4}{5} is 15\frac{1}{5}.