--- title: "Fractions on a number line" description: "Recognise and use fractions as numbers: place unit fractions and non-unit fractions with small denominators on a number line" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-on-a-number-line-mt_Kr3IyA6m-O source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-on-a-number-line-mt_Kr3IyA6m-O.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Fractions on a number line Recognise and use fractions as numbers: place unit fractions and non-unit fractions with small denominators on a number line Subject: Mathematics · Area: Fractions · Ages 7 to 8 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-on-a-number-line-mt_Kr3IyA6m-O ## Ready when they can - Place 1/2, 1/4, 3/4 on a number line from 0 to 1 - Identify that 1/3 lies between 0 and 1/2 on the number line - Understand that a fraction is a single number, not just 'part of a shape' ## Lesson: Fractions on a number line A fraction is a number. It has an exact place on a number line. Fractions such as 1/4 and 3/4 lie between 0 and 1. Some fractions equal 1 or are greater than 1. Here we will look at the stretch from 0 to 1. *(drawing: Four equal jumps fill the stretch from 0 to 1. Each jump is 1/4. The top number counts jumps from 0.)* **Example.** Halfway means the same distance from each end. On a line in quarters, two jumps reach the middle and two more reach 1. That middle point has two names: 2/4 and 1/2. Numbers get bigger as you move right. To compare marked fractions, look at their places. Of the points 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4, the 3/4 point is farthest right. It is also nearest to 1. This line has six equal small jumps from 0 to 1. Each small jump is 1/6. Two small jumps reach 1/3, and three reach 1/2. Both fractions can now sit on marks on the same line. Numbers get bigger to the right, so 1/3 is smaller than 1/2. It is one small jump from 1/2 and two from 0, so it is closer to 1/2. The bottom number tells how many equal jumps fill one whole. Splitting the same whole into more equal parts makes each part smaller. A third is smaller than a half because three equal pieces must fit into the same whole as two equal pieces. **Example.** Count gaps to count jumps, not marks. On a line in fifths, moving from 2/5 to 1 crosses three gaps: to 3/5, then 4/5, then 1. Moving left follows the marks in reverse. Count only the gaps you cross, not the starting point. **Recap.** A fraction is a number on a line. Its bottom number names its jump size. Its top counts jumps of that size from 0, which may cover more than one small gap. ## Practice 17 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Fractions of amounts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-of-amounts-mt_cFltwUQi-d) - [Tenths](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/tenths-mt_YzM5goBctT) ## Opens up - [Adding and subtracting fractions with the same bottom number within one whole](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/adding-and-subtracting-fractions-with-the-same-bottom-number-within-one-whole-mt_a1FdAsRKOF) - [Moving between situations, diagrams and equations](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/moving-between-situations-diagrams-and-equations-mt_dXq9VWm31W) - [Equivalent fractions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/equivalent-fractions-mt_FbDKeLfBCo) - [Comparing fractions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-fractions-mt_IfEgu0X449) - [Fractions on a number line (age 8+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/fractions-on-a-number-line-age-8-mt_NoB20kVa4w)