Skråstrekbrøker

Skråstrekbrøker, also known as diagonal fractions or slashes, are a way of representing fractions using a horizontal line (the vinculum) or a diagonal slash (the solidus) to separate the numerator and the denominator. The numerator is the number above the line or to the left of the slash, and the denominator is the number below the line or to the right of the slash. For example, one-half can be written as 1/2.

Historically, the use of the slash for fractions became more common in the 19th century, particularly in typed or handwritten contexts where drawing a horizontal line was more cumbersome. In modern computing and typesetting, the slash is the standard representation for fractions due to its ease of input and display. Programming languages, spreadsheets, and text editors all commonly use the slash notation.

While the horizontal line representation is still widely used in formal mathematical contexts and textbooks, the skråstrekbrøk is prevalent in everyday communication and technical fields. Both forms convey the same mathematical meaning, representing a part of a whole or a division of two numbers. Understanding both notations is essential for comprehensive mathematical literacy.