"How to read fractions

[chinst]

How does one read fractions? Example 3/8. Can it be read as "three over eight" besides reading it as "three eights"? If it is possible, then how does one read fractions such as 13/18, 24/26, etc?

Thank you very much

 

[tedtmc]

13/18 is 13 'one-eighteenths', which thirteen eighteenths
24/26 is twenty-four twenty-sixths

not a teacher

 

[magimagicE]

In mathematical speak, "three over eight" is a valid term.

So are:

13/18 -------> Thirteen over eighteen;

24/26 -------> Twenty-four over twenty-six.


In mathematical speak and in everyday usage, these are also valid terms:

3/8 --------> Three eighths

13/18 -------> Thirteen eighteenths

24/26 --------> Twenty-four twenty-sixths


In American English:

3 1/4 --------> Three and one quarter

1 1/2 --------> One and one half


Note the differences in British English:

3 1/4 --------> Three and a quarter

1 1/2 --------> One and a half


Whichever system you choose to use, just be consistent.

 

[Barb_D]

I'd say "one and a quarter" or "one and a half" and I'm an American.

 

[emsr2d2]

How does one read fractions? Example 3/8. Can it be read as "three over eight" besides reading it as "three eights"? If it is possible, then how does one read fractions such as 13/18, 24/26, etc?

Thank you very much

And, I believe, in maths, you always go down to the lowest common denominator so 24/26 would actually be 12/13 (twelve thirteenths).

 

[Barb_D]

But that's not how you would pronounce it. That's like saying "three score" is pronounced "sixty."

 

[emsr2d2]

But that's not how you would pronounce it. That's like saying "three score" is pronounced "sixty."

I realise that, but someone had already explained how to pronounce "twenty-four twenty-sixths". As 24/26 should never appear as a mathematical fraction, I was simply trying to give another example.

As a score in a test, 24/26 would be seen and would be said (in the UK at least) as "twenty-four out of twenty-six".

 

[Abstract Idea]

As 24/26 should never appear as a mathematical fraction, I was simply trying to give another example.

What about the equation " 24/26 = 12/13 ", couldn't it live peacefully in the Wonderful World of Math? How do you read it?

 

[Barb_D]

Twenty-four twenty-sixths equals twelve thirteenths.

 

[Jack8rkin]

How about such fraction: 47/51? How would you read it?

 

[tedtmc]

forty-seven fifty firsts

 

[Barb_D]

Either forty-seven fifty-firsts, or forty-seven over fifty-one.