Placing and Identifying Fractions on The Number Line In this Power Point students will learn to place and identify fractions on the number line. These strategies can be used to help students successfully use a number line to represent and order fractions. 4.NF.A.1, 4.NF.A.2, 4.NF.B.3

A number line helps us visualize the order of numbers. Students have used a number line since early elementary years to count and understand values of numbers. As the number line continues from left to right they learn the value of the whole number increases. Students have used number lines to understand math concepts such as adding & subtracting, and greater than, less than in comparing whole numbers.

A number line helps us compare two or more numbers. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 < 9

We can use a number line to place fractions We can use a number line to place fractions. Let’s look at the section between 0 and 1 enlarged. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A number line can be used to place fractions in order from least to greatest. It is important for the student to understand that a fraction is part of a whole number. Emphasize that we will be looking at an enlarged portion of the number line between 0 and 1 to place fractions. It is important to mention that fractions can also be larger than 1 but the whole is represented at the area between two whole numbers. 1

To place a fraction on a number line we have to think about the space between the whole numbers as the whole. 1

First, look at the denominator of the fraction and think… Into how many equal parts will the whole be divided? The denominator tells us how many equal parts the whole is divided. 1 Divide the whole into four equal parts.

Next, look at the numerator of the fraction and think… How many of the equal parts are we talking about? The numerator tells us how many equal parts we are talking about. 1 Shade one of the equal parts.

The point at which the shaded part ends on the number line is the placement for the fraction. 1 Place a point on the number line where the shaded part ends. Write the fraction under the point.

This is what the fraction on the number line would look like. 1  

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded part ends. Label the fraction under the number line.   On an interactive whiteboard, students can follow the steps to determine the location of the point for the given fraction on the number line. Be sure they follow each step to demonstrate the strategy. On the third click of the frame, the Answer Check will come up and should align with the student’s work if correct. 1 Answer Check  

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded part ends. Label the fraction under the number line.   1   Answer Check

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded part ends. Label the fraction under the number line.   1   Answer Check

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded parts end. Label the fraction under the number line.   On an interactive whiteboard, students can follow the steps to determine the location of the point for the given fraction on the number line. This example and the following two examples will show more than one part in the numerator. Be sure they follow each step to demonstrate the strategy. On the third click of the frame, the Answer Check will come up and should align with the student’s work if correct. 1   Answer Check

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded parts end. Label the fraction under the number line.   1   Answer Check

Your turn to try. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Look at the denominator and divide the whole into equal pieces. Look at the numerator and shade in the number of pieces we are talking about. Place a point on the number line at the location where the shaded parts end. Label the fraction under the number line.   1   Answer Check

Now let’s identify fractions on the number line. Follow these steps. Block the whole. Determine the denominator by counting the number of equal pieces the whole is divide into. Fill in the equal parts to the point on the number line. Determine the numerator by counting the number of equal pieces you have filled in. Write the fraction under the point on the number line. The last part of the Power Point is identifying fractions when the point is given on the number line. Students will use the same strategy in a different way in order to derive the name of the fraction represented. 1   3

You Try! Follow these steps. Block the whole. Determine the denominator by counting the number of equal pieces the whole is divide into. Fill in the equal parts to the point on the number line. Determine the numerator by counting the number of equal pieces you have filled in. Write the fraction under the point on the number line.   On an interactive white board, students can demonstrate use of the strategy by following the steps in order to name the fraction represented at the point on the number line. A fraction line is already positioned under the point for students to write in the answer. The Answer Check will come up on the third click of the frame. 1

You Try! Follow these steps. Block the whole. Determine the denominator by counting the number of equal pieces the whole is divide into. Fill in the equal parts to the point on the number line. Determine the numerator by counting the number of equal pieces you have filled in. Write the fraction under the point on the number line.   1

You Try! Follow these steps. Block the whole. Determine the denominator by counting the number of equal pieces the whole is divide into. Fill in the equal parts to the point on the number line. Determine the numerator by counting the number of equal pieces you have filled in. Write the fraction under the point on the number line.   1