A fraction with a numerator greater than one can be written as the
sum of unit fractions with the same denominator as the fraction.
A unit fraction is a fraction that has 1 as its numerator.
A unit fraction is one part of a whole divided into equal parts.
The fraction
is five parts of a whole divided into eight equal parts.
Since the numerator is five, five-eighths can be separated into five equal parts that are each
of the whole.
So, is equal to the sum of five 's, or + + + + .
The fraction
is seven parts of wholes divided into five equal parts.
Since the numerator is seven, seven-fifths can be separated into seven equal parts that are each
of the whole.
So, is equal to the sum of seven 's, or
+ + + + + + .