What is a way of expressing numbers that represent parts of a whole?

The method of expressing numbers that represent parts of a whole is through fractions. A fraction consists of two numbers: a numerator and a denominator, where the numerator indicates how many parts are taken from the whole, represented by the denominator. This numerical format is fundamental in conveying quantities that are not whole numbers, making it clear how a certain value relates to the complete set.

While decimals, percentages, and ratios can also express parts of a whole, they do so in different formats. Decimals represent parts of a whole in a base-10 system, percentages convey parts of a whole as a fraction of 100, and ratios compare two quantities rather than directly indicating a part of a single whole. Therefore, fractions specifically encapsulate the representation of parts to a whole in a straightforward manner.