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Glite Dictionary
proper fraction

proper fraction

3.3
A fraction with a top number smaller than the bottom number
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒpər ˈfrækʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fracción propia
  • A proper fraction is defined as a fraction where the numerator is smaller than the denominator.

Examples

  • Three-fourths is an example of a proper fraction.

  • The fraction 1/3 is a proper fraction.

  • A proper fraction always has a value less than one.

  • In her math homework, she had to convert each proper fraction into a decimal.

  • A proper fraction is less than one.

  • In her math class, she learned that one-half is a common example of a proper fraction.

  • The fraction 2/5 qualifies as a proper fraction because its numerator is less than its denominator.

Antonyms

improper fraction
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A fraction with a top number equal to or larger than the bottom number

Surface Forms

proper fraction singular
proper fractions plural

Morphology

proper + fraction

The constituent 'fraction' is transparent but 'proper' normally means 'suitable' in everyday English, not a numeric relation, so a B1 learner who knows both words is unlikely to infer the technical sense 'numerator smaller than denominator' without mathematical knowledge. The relation is partially recoverable for learners familiar with the opposed term 'improper fraction' or with math-specific uses of 'proper', so the phrase is partially but not fully transparent.

Etymology

Proper fraction comes from the image of a cake: if you have only part of the cake, your pieces are a proper fraction of it. That's why a proper fraction has the top number smaller than the bottom number and is 'less than one'.