What does the denominator of a fraction indicate?

The denominator of a fraction refers to the bottom number in the fraction and serves a specific function in relation to the whole. It indicates into how many equal parts the whole is divided. For example, in the fraction 3/4, the denominator 4 shows that the whole is divided into 4 equal parts. Each of these parts represents a portion of the whole, and it is vital to understand that the value of the fraction is determined by the relationship between the numerator (the top number) and the denominator. Therefore, knowing that the denominator signifies the total number of equal parts helps in understanding how fractions represent parts of a whole.