Fractions of numbers, explained simply
Divide into equal parts. Take the parts you need.
Read the two numbers
In 3/4, the bottom number, 4, says the whole is split into four equal parts. The top number, 3, says you want three of those parts. A fraction describes parts of a whole; it does not have to be a small or complicated number.
Divide first, then multiply
To find 3/4 of 28, divide 28 by 4 to get one quarter: 7. Then multiply 7 by 3 to get three quarters: 21. In one line, 28 ÷ 4 × 3 = 21. Dividing first often keeps the intermediate numbers smaller.
Check with the size of the answer
One half of 28 is 14, and all of 28 is 28. Three quarters should lie between those two values. An answer of 21 makes sense. Estimating like this will not prove an answer is correct, but it can catch a large mistake.
Not every answer is a whole number
One quarter of 10 is 10 ÷ 4 = 2.5. That is fine: equal parts do not have to be whole numbers. The practice set on this site starts with whole-number answers so you can focus on the method first.
Try three examples
Find 2/3 of 24, 3/5 of 40, and 5/6 of 36. Answers: 16, 24, and 30. For the last question, one sixth of 36 is 6, so five sixths are 5 × 6 = 30.
Take your time with a free set of fractions of numbers questions and worked answers.
Try a practice set →