Fraction: A numerical quantity that is not a whole
number. A small or tiny part, amount or proportion
of something.
I remember learning fractions in elementary school
and how difficult they seemed. Our teacher would
drill us over and over on them. Then we would be
given mathematical problems often in the form of
story problems to help us learn/figure out how to
apply fractions to what we had been drilling on. I
enjoyed learning fractions, but I never really liked
story problems and still don't to this day. But, I
guess they served their purpose in helping us learn.
My father was a building contractor by profession,
owned his own business and was an absolute
perfectionist. If something wasn't done right, it
had to be re-done. Nothing was done half way.
He taught his employee's, my sister and myself,
the importance of correct measuring. If a length
of board was to to be cut at 16 1/2 inches it was
not cut at 16 1/4 inches or 16 5/8 inches. A
fraction off in measurements could result in
crooked walls, boards not butting together, door
jams not in alignment, etc.
He always said being off a fraction and not
correcting it compounded the error as you went
along. His motto was "you always measure
once, then once again" before sawing. We
learned very quickly how to read the little black
marks on a ruler, measuring tape, etc. Being off
a fraction could and often did result in costly
errors.
We learned about fractions in cooking and
sewing from our mother. We learned the
difference between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup, etc.
in liquid and dry measurements by using metal or
glass measuring cups. Here again improper
measuring could result in "tough" baked
products or ones that didn't set up properly.
She also taught us to sew using a measuring
tape, ruler and to follow the guidelines on the
sewing machine. Same rules dad applied
to his business applied to cutting and working
with fabric. To this day, I find I cannot
measure something just once before cutting.
Of course, that may have something to do with
the fact that I don't see those little black marks
as well as I used to!
From my parents, teachers and other I have
learned how important a "fraction" can be.
I have learned how important it is to take the
time to measure once and then measure again
as I cut and assemble fabric pieces for my
quilting projects. Being off just a fraction can
cause pieces to fit together improperly and as
a result throws off the whole block. But, I
have learned that if careful, you can ease the
fabric a fraction to fit as you sew. This isn't
always possible with other things, however.
A fraction is a small thing, a portion of a
larger whole, but is so critical to the final
outcome of a dress, quilt, baked product or a
construction project.
Back in elementary school I had no idea that
learning "fractions" would play such an
important role in my everyday life.
Well, I'm off to grab that last "fraction" of pie
before someone else does!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Nola
Cute post. Enjoy that pie!
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