Definition
Proper fraction
A proper fraction is a positive fraction whose numerator is less than its denominator.
What it means
The denominator tells how many equal parts make a whole. The numerator tells how many parts you have. If you have fewer parts than are needed to complete the whole, the fraction is proper and its value stays below one.
Remember it
Top smaller than bottom means less than one whole.
Example
7/10 is a proper fraction because 7 is less than 10. Seven tenths does not yet make one complete whole.
Watch for
10/10 is not a proper fraction because it equals one whole.
Common mix-up
Proper does not mean simplest form: 2/4 is proper even though it can be simplified to 1/2.
Exact meaning
For a positive fraction, the fraction is proper when its numerator is smaller than its denominator. Its value is greater than zero and less than one whole.