How to Find a Fraction on a Number Line

A number line and a ruler are very much alike. 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

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

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

Step Two- Count the sticks, starting at the first stick after zero Step Two- Count the sticks, starting at the first stick after zero. Stop at the point you are naming. This is the Numerator. 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. 1 2

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

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