The statement below is followed by four options. Each option is related to the item in the statement, but only one is always true. Select the option that always holds and makes the statement true.
"A fraction always has ______."
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A denominator
The answer must hold for every fraction, without exception. An option that is present in most cases but can be missing in even one case is not always true.
Option (1) A numerator smaller than the denominator — an improper fraction such as 5/3 has a numerator larger than its denominator.
Option (2) An even denominator — 1/3 has an odd denominator.
Option (3) A denominator — a fraction is written as numerator/denominator; the denominator tells into how many equal parts the whole is divided, and no fraction is written without one, so this is always true.
Option (4) A whole-number value — 1/2 is not a whole number; it lies between 0 and 1.