Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

Fractions, decimals, and percentages are three different ways of showing parts of a whole. In the CEM 11+ exam, you must be able to convert between them, compare them, and use them in calculations — often under time pressure. This lesson will give you the tools and techniques you need.

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Understanding Fractions

A fraction has a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number):

• The numerator tells you how many parts you have.
• The denominator tells you how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

For example, 3/4 means 3 parts out of 4 equal parts.

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions have the same value but different numerators and denominators. You create them by multiplying or dividing the top and bottom by the same number:

Fraction	× 2	× 3	× 4
1/2	2/4	3/6	4/8
2/3	4/6	6/9	8/12
3/5	6/10	9/15	12/20

Simplifying Fractions

Divide the numerator and denominator by their Highest Common Factor (HCF):