Fractions | A

Question 1

Find out and discuss the words for fractions that are used in the different languages spoken in your home, city, or state. Ask your grandparents, parents, teachers, and classmates what words they use for different fractions, such as for one and a half, three quarters, one and a quarter, half, quarter, and two and a half, and write them here:

Solution

Understand the Question

Different languages use different terms to express fractions and mixed numbers.
In English, larger fractions are typically expressed by combining whole numbers and fractional parts (for example, $1 + \dfrac{1}{2}$ is "one and a half").
Many Indian languages like Hindi and Marathi have dedicated single-word terms for common fractions (such as aadha, pauna, sawa, dedh, and adhai).

Step 1 · List Fraction Terms in Different Languages

Words for common fractions in English, Hindi, and Marathi:

1. For the fraction $\dfrac{1}{2}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{half}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{aadha} \text{ (आधा)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{ardha} \text{ (अर्धा)}$

2. For the fraction $\dfrac{1}{4}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{quarter}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{chauthai} \text{ (चौथाई)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{pav} \text{ (पाव)}$

3. For the fraction $\dfrac{3}{4}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{three quarters}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{pauna} \text{ (पौना)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{paun} \text{ (पाऊण)}$

4. For the fraction $1\dfrac{1}{2}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{one and a half}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{dedh} \text{ (डेढ़)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{dedh / deed} \text{ (दीड)}$

5. For the fraction $1\dfrac{1}{4}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{one and a quarter}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{sawa} \text{ (सवा)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{sava / savva} \text{ (सव्वा)}$

6. For the fraction $2\dfrac{1}{2}$ : $\text{English: } \textbf{two and a half}$ $\text{Hindi: } \textbf{adhai} \text{ (अढ़ाई)}$ $\text{Marathi: } \textbf{adhich} \text{ (अडीच)}$

Step 2 · Discuss Findings and Language Patterns

English: Uses combinations of whole numbers and fractions, such as "one and a half" for $1 + \dfrac{1}{2}$ .
Hindi and Marathi: Use specific single-word names that act as linguistic shortcuts for common fractional quantities:
- $\dfrac{3}{4} \rightarrow \textbf{pauna}$
- $1\dfrac{1}{4} \rightarrow \textbf{sawa}$
- $1\dfrac{1}{2} \rightarrow \textbf{dedh}$
- $2\dfrac{1}{2} \rightarrow \textbf{adhai}$
Linguistic Similarity: Many terms between Hindi and Marathi share common roots (e.g., dedh and deed, sawa and savva).

Answer

Different languages have distinct naming conventions for fractions. While English combines numbers (e.g., "one and a half"), languages like Hindi and Marathi have dedicated single-word terms (e.g., $\text{dedh}$ for $1\dfrac{1}{2}$ , $\text{sawa}$ for $1\dfrac{1}{4}$ , and $\text{adhai}$ for $2\dfrac{1}{2}$ ).

Common Mistakes

Confusing Mixed Fraction Terms: Mixing up terms like sawa ( $1\dfrac{1}{4}$ ), dedh ( $1\dfrac{1}{2}$ ), and adhai ( $2\dfrac{1}{2}$ ).
Quarter vs. Three-Quarters: Confusing chauthai / pav ( $\dfrac{1}{4}$ ) with pauna / paun ( $\dfrac{3}{4}$ ).

Question 1

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