🧮Fractions and Decimals in English – Complete Lesson

Introduction

Numbers are not always whole — sometimes we need to talk about parts of something.
That’s where fractions and decimals come in.
They help us describe halves, quarters, and small parts of numbers in daily life.

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🔹 1. What Are Fractions?

Fractions represent parts of a whole.
We write them using two numbers — one on top (the numerator) and one below (the denominator).

For example:

• ½ → one half
• ⅓ → one third
• ¼ → one quarter

When the number on top is bigger than one, the denominator becomes plural:

• ⅔ → two thirds
• ¾ → three quarters

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🗣️ How to Use Fractions in Real Life

We use fractions in daily situations like cooking, measuring, and sharing.

Examples:

• I want half a cup of sugar.
• He drank a quarter of the bottle.
• We waited for three-quarters of an hour.
• Cut the apple into four equal parts — that’s quarters.

Fractions make your English sound more precise and natural!

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🔹 2. Common Fractions in English

Some of the most used fractions are:

• ½ → a half
• ⅓ → a third
• ¼ → a quarter
• ⅔ → two-thirds
• ¾ → three-quarters
• ⅛ → an eighth
• ⅜ → three-eighths

You can also say:
👉 One and a half hours = 1½ hours
👉 Two and a quarter liters = 2¼ liters

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🗣️ How to Read Fractions with “Over” in English

Sometimes, especially in mathematics, fractions are read using “over”:
– ⅔ → two over three
– ¾ → three over four

But in daily English, we usually say “two-thirds” and “three-quarters.”

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🔹 3. Mixed Numbers

A mixed number combines a whole number and a fraction.
Examples:
– 1½ = one and a half
– 2¼ = two and a quarter
– 3¾ = three and three quarters

Mixed numbers are common in recipes, measurements, and time expressions.

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🔹 4. Decimals in English

Decimals are another way to express parts of numbers, using a decimal point.
For example:

• 0.5 → zero point five (or point five)
• 1.25 → one point two five
• 3.75 → three point seven five

The word “point” is always said aloud.
Every number after the point is read separately — not as a full number.

Examples:
👉 My score was eight point five.
👉 Gas costs one point seven five dollars per liter.

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🔹 5. Zero Alternatives in English Decimals

Note:
In decimals, native speakers sometimes say:
– “nought point five” (British English)
– “point five” (casual speech)
– “zero point five” (standard form)

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🔹 6. Reading Long Decimals (Pronunciation Example)

Example:
4.937 → four point nine three seven

Remember: each digit after the point is pronounced separately.

Explore the English Alphabet lesson now

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🔹 7. Fractions vs. Decimals

Fractions and decimals express the same idea — parts of a whole — but in different ways.

Fraction	Decimal	Example in English
½	0.5	half an apple = zero point five
¼	0.25	a quarter of a kilo = zero point two five
¾	0.75	three-quarters = zero point seven five

Use fractions in everyday speech and decimals in numbers, prices, and measurements.

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🔹 8. Fractions and Decimals in English Practice Section

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🎯 Let’s Practice Together!

🗣️ A. Speak It Aloud!

Say these aloud:
➡️ Half — a quarter — two-thirds — one point five — zero point seven five

Now try to describe:
🥛 Your height (in meters and decimals)
🍰 A recipe (using halves or quarters)
💰 A price (using decimals)

💡 Tip: Practice out loud — the more you speak, the faster you’ll learn!

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🧩 B. Multiple Choice Questions

1. ¾ is read as:
a) Three fourths
b) Three quarters ✅
c) Three divided by four

2. 0.25 is:
a) Two point five
b) Zero point twenty-five
c) Twenty-five hundredths ✅

3. 1½ hours means:
a) One hour and a half ✅
b) One and two hours
c) Half an hour

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✅ C. True or False

1️⃣ “⅔” is said “two over three” in daily conversation. → ❌ False (we usually say two-thirds)
2️⃣ “0.5” can be said as “point five.” → ✅ True
3️⃣ “Three quarters” = ¾. → ✅ True

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✏️ D. Fill in the Blanks

1️⃣ 0.75 is said “________ point .”
2️⃣ ½ means “_ and a __.”
3️⃣ The word we say instead of “.” in decimals is “____.”

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🗝️ Answer Key

B. Multiple Choice:
1 → b) Three quarters
2 → c) Twenty-five hundredths
3 → a) One hour and a half

C. True or False:
1 → False
2 → True
3 → True

D. Fill in the Blanks:
1 → zero point seven five
2 → one and a half
3 → point

Start learning numbers in English here

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🎯 9. Summary of Fractions and Decimals in English

Fractions show parts of a whole, and decimals show numbers with a point.
Both are essential to describe measurements, money, and quantities accurately.

Use “a half” or “0.5,” “a quarter” or “0.25” — they mean the same thing!
Learning both systems helps you understand native speakers more easily.

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💡 Now that you’ve learned Fractions and Decimals in English, it’s time to practice!
🎧 Record your voice reading these examples:

• ½ — ¼ — ¾ — 0.25 — 1.75 — 2.5

Upload your recording in the student section of Ahlem Saadane Academy
to receive personalized feedback and pronunciation tips.

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