$\frac{1}{4}$

The top number is the numerator.
It represents the number of parts that are selected.

The bottom number is the denominator.
It represents the number of parts the whole is divided into.

A model can be used to represent a fraction.
The model can be a whole divided into equal parts, or a number line with equally-spaced tick marks between whole numbers.

The models below represent $\frac{1}{4}$. Each whole is divided into four equal parts, and one part is selected or shaded.

	grid model	fraction circle model
fraction strip model
number line

A whole must be divided into equal parts to represent a fraction. The model below does not represent $\frac{1}{4}$ because it is not divided into equal parts.

The square on the left is partitioned into two same size shares, or two halves.
The square on the right is partitioned into two shares which are not the same size; it is not partitioned into halves.

The square on the left is partitioned into four same size shares, or four fourths.
The square on the right is partitioned into four same size shares which are not the same shape. It is also divided into four fourths.