Skill: Identify fractions greater than one

A fraction is greater than 1 when it shows more than one whole.

In $\frac{a}{b}$:

• The denominator $b$ tells how many equal parts make one whole.
• The numerator $a$ tells how many parts there are.
• If the numerator is greater than the denominator, then the fraction is greater than $1$.

Example: Is $\frac{7}{4}$ greater than 1?

1. The denominator is $4$, so 4 fourths make 1 whole:

$$\frac{4}{4}=1$$

2. The numerator is $7$, so $\frac{7}{4}$ means 7 fourths.

3. Since $7>4$, there are enough fourths to make one whole, with extra fourths left over.

Therefore,

$$\frac{7}{4}>1$$

You can picture $\frac{7}{4}$ as 1 whole and 3 more fourths:

$$\frac{7}{4}=1\frac{3}{4}$$

Remember: compare the numerator and denominator. If the numerator is larger, the positive fraction is greater than 1.