The fractions 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 represent parts of a whole. 1/2 means one part out of two equal parts, while 1/4 indicates one part out of four equal parts. Similarly, 1/8 signifies one part out of eight equal parts. These fractions show how a whole can be divided into smaller sections. As the denominator increases, the size of each fraction decreases. For example, 1/2 is larger than 1/4, which is larger than 1/8. This pattern continues, illustrating how dividing something into more parts results in smaller individual portions.