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Glite Dictionary
compound fraction

compound fraction

1 7.0
A fraction whose top or bottom number is also a fraction
  • noun
  • /kəmˈpaʊnd ˈfrækʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fracción compuesta
  • A compound fraction can be simplified to make calculations easier.

Examples

  • To simplify a compound fraction, first find a common denominator in the numerator and denominator.

  • The teacher asked the students to convert a compound fraction into a simple fraction.

  • A compound fraction may appear in advanced algebra problems requiring careful calculation.

  • Do you understand what a compound fraction is?

  • A compound fraction can be confusing because it includes fractions in both the numerator and the denominator.

  • When simplifying a compound fraction, it's helpful to convert it into a single fraction.

  • The teacher explained how to solve compound fractions by finding a common denominator.

Synonyms

complex fraction
vscompound fraction
  • Specialized
7.8

A number with a fraction in the top or bottom

has identical meaning but uses slightly different phrasing with the word themselves

Surface Forms

compound fraction singular
compound fractions plural

Morphology

compound + fraction

The meaning 'a fraction composed of other fractions' is directly inferable from combining 'compound' (made of several parts) with 'fraction' (numerical part/denominator structure). Although a bit technical, the composition follows ordinary English compounding rules and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Compound fraction uses compound to mean 'made of parts' and fraction to mean a part of a whole. So, a compound fraction is a fraction that has other fractions inside its top or bottom number, which is why you often need extra steps to simplify it.