# Unlike fractions

The fractions of unequally divided different two or more whole quantities are called unlike fractions.

A whole quantity can be divided into number of parts equally. If another whole quantity is divided into different number of equal parts, the two quantities are unlike in the point of view of different division. Therefore, the fractions which are considered from them are known as unlike fractions. The fraction of first whole quantity is unlike to the second fraction of second whole quantity and vice-versa.

The concept of unlike fractions is not limited to two whole quantities and they started with at least two whole quantities. So, the unlike fractions are the fractions which are considered from two or more unequally divided whole quantities.

## Example

Consider five rectangles and divide them into different number of equal parts.

1. The first rectangle is divided into two equal parts. So, the fraction of the selected portion is $\frac{1}{2}$.
2. The second rectangle is divided into four equal parts. So, the fraction of the selected portion is $\frac{3}{4}$.
3. The third rectangle is divided into eight equal parts. So, the fraction of the selected portion is $\frac{5}{8}$.
4. Assume, the remaining two rectangles form an improper fraction as a group. Two and five parts are selected parts from fourth and fifth rectangles of this group. Therefore, the fraction of it is $\frac{7}{5}$.

$\frac{1}{2}$, $\frac{3}{4}$, $\frac{5}{8}$ and $\frac{7}{5}$ are the four fractions from this example. All four fractions contain different denominators, which mean $2$, $4$, $8$ and $5$. It is due to the division of all whole rectangles into different number of equal parts.

So, if two or more fractions have different denominators, they are unlike fractions.