ABSTRACT
A rational number may be viewed as a quotient, that is, as the result of a division. Partitioning—the act of breaking or fracturing a whole—is the action through which fractions come into existence. Partitioning is the process of dividing an object or objects into a number of disjoint and exhaustive parts. The process of partitioning lies at the very heart of rational number understanding. Fractions and decimals are both formed by partitioning. It is important that partitioning be much more than fun drawing and shading. The study of rational numbers as a quotient field is well beyond the elementary and middle school child, but the foundations for building a solid understanding are laid in the early years.
