A Fraction is one or more of the equal parts into which a unit has been
divided. A _Common Fraction_ is expressed by two numbers; the one
written above the line is called the Numerator, the one below, the
Denominator: both, called the Terms, denote the value of the fraction.
Thus, in the fraction 3/4, the denominator 4, denotes that a unit or
whole thing has been divided into four equal parts; and the numerator 3,
shows that three of those parts are taken or expressed in the fraction.
A _Proper Fraction_ is one whose numerator is less than its denominator;
as 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, etc. Its value is always less than 1.
An _Improper Fraction_ is one whose numerator is equal to, or greater
than its denominator, as 5/5, 9/7, 30/12, etc. Its value is never less
than 1.
A _Mixed Number_ is a whole number and a fraction; as 3-2/5, 10-1/2,
6-2/3.
The mixed number means that there are whole things taken together with a
fraction of another.
A _Complex Fraction_ is one in which the numerator or denominator, or
both, are fractions.
3-1/7 1 15/17
Thus, -----, ---------, -----, are complex fractions.
2-3/8 5/6 × 3/4 8