elementary fraction
nounUK /ˌel.ɪˈmen.tər.i ˈfræk.ʃən/
US /ˌel.əˈmen.t̬ɚ.i ˈfræk.ʃən/
A simple fraction made of small whole numbers, like 1/2 or 3/4.
In math class, we learned that 1/2 is an elementary fraction.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A fraction whose numerator and denominator are both integers, as opposed to a complex or compound fraction.
The teacher explained that 2/3 is an elementary fraction, but (1/2)/(3/4) is not.
3. A fraction taught at the beginning level of arithmetic, using everyday objects like pizza slices or apples.
The worksheet used elementary fractions to show how a pie can be cut into equal parts.
4. A fraction in its simplest form, with no common factors between the top and bottom numbers.
She reduced 4/8 to the elementary fraction 1/2.