proper fraction

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. a fraction having the numerator less, or lower in degree, than the denominator.

---

proper fraction British  

noun

1. a fraction in which the numerator has a lower absolute value than the denominator, as 1/ 2 or x /(3 + x ²)

---

proper fraction Scientific  

/ prŏp′ər /

1. A fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator, such as 1/2.

2. Compare improper fraction

---

Etymology

Origin of proper fraction

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

The proper fractions listed are and We know the proper fraction has value less than one and so would be located between 0 and 1.

From Textbooks • Sep. 23, 2020

How to convert a decimal to a proper fraction and a fraction to a decimal.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

To convert a decimal to a proper fraction, determine the place value of the final digit.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

In the case of articles which would not necessarily be replaced every year, what was considered to be a proper fraction of the cost in October, 1919, is given.

From The Cost of Living Among Wage-Earners Fall River, Massachusetts, October, 1919, Research Report Number 22, November, 1919 by National Industrial Conference Board

A fractional number is called a proper fraction or an improper fraction according as the numerator is or is not less than the denominator; and an expression such as 21⁄6 is called a mixed number.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various