Fractions on a number line (age 8+)
Represent fractions on a number line: partition the interval 0 to 1 into b equal parts to locate 1/b, then mark off a lengths of 1/b from 0 to locate a/b
What a learner can do afterwards
- Partition a 0-to-1 number line into 4 equal parts and mark 1/4
- Explain that each part on the line has size 1/b
- Locate 1/3 and 1/6 on separate number lines
- Locate 3/4 on a number line by counting three 1/4-jumps from 0
- Place 5/6 on a number line and explain the process
- Identify a fraction shown by a point on a pre-partitioned number line
The lesson
A number line from 0 to 1 can be split into equal parts. If you split it into b equal parts, each part is 1/b long. To find a fraction a/b, start at 0 and count a jumps of size 1/b.
To find 3/4, start at 0 and count three jumps of 1/4: 1/4, then 2/4, then 3/4. You land on 3/4.
The bottom number tells you how many equal parts to split the line into. The top number tells you how many jumps to count from 0.
To place a/b on a number line, split 0 to 1 into b equal parts, then count a of those parts from 0.
Watch it
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.