How to Find a Fraction on a Number

How to Find a Fraction on a Number line By: Megan Black

A number line and a ruler are very much alike. 0 1 2

On a ruler, each inch is considered one whole inch Nine whole inches One Inch Two Inches Three Inches

The marks in between the whole inches are fractions of an inch ½ Inch 2 ¾ Inches 7 ¼ inches

Number lines are read the same way. n n The Numbers are read as whole numbers. The marks in between are read as fractions. 0 1 2

There are three steps to reading fractions on a number line Step One-Count the spaces in between the zero and the on the number line. That is your denominator. 0 1 4 2

Step Two- Count the sticks, starting at the first stick after zero. Stop at the point you are naming. This is the Numerator. 0 1 3 4

There is only a step three if the fraction is past a whole number. If the fraction is past a whole number, steps one and two are the same except that you count the spaces and marks in between the whole numbers closest to the fraction. 0 1 2

Mixed number fractions Step One-Count the spaces in between the whole numbers where the fraction is placed. That is your denominator. 0 1 2 4

Mixed number fractions Step Two- Count the sticks, starting at the first stick after the whole number. Stop at the point you are naming. This is the Numerator. 2 0 1 2 4

Mixed number fractions Step Three- Write the whole number as a whole number beside the fraction. 0 1 2 4