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Fractions on a number line (age 8+)

REPRESENTATIONAL
MathematicsFractions|Ages 8—9|ID: mt_NoB20kVa4w

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

Mastery Evidence

  • 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

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] draws a number line from 0 to 1 split into 5 equal parts, can they label where 2/5 and 4/5 go — and explain how they worked it out?”

Prerequisites2

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Fractions on a number line hard

    Prior number-line fraction experience feeds into formal unit-fraction placement

    • Fractions of amounts hard

      Placing fractions on number line requires knowing what fractions are

      • Finding halves and quarters (age 5+) hard

        Working with 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 extends from Y1 understanding of quarters

        • What Is a Half? hard

          Understanding quarters extends from understanding halves — both are equal parts but quarters requires dividing into 4

          • Division as equal sharing hard

            Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

            • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

              Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • What Is a Half? hard

        Working with fractions extends from Y1 understanding of halves

        • Division as equal sharing hard

          Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

          • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

            Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • Division as equal sharing soft

        Finding fractions of quantities uses equal sharing (division)

        • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

          Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • Fraction Notation hard

        Writing fractions like 1/3 and 3/4 requires knowing numerator and denominator

    • Tenths soft

      Counting in tenths supports placing fractions on a number line

      • Fractions of amounts hard

        Tenths extend fraction understanding from halves, thirds, quarters

        • Finding halves and quarters (age 5+) hard

          Working with 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 extends from Y1 understanding of quarters

          • What Is a Half? hard

            Understanding quarters extends from understanding halves — both are equal parts but quarters requires dividing into 4

            • Division as equal sharing hard

              Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

              • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

                Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

        • What Is a Half? hard

          Working with fractions extends from Y1 understanding of halves

          • Division as equal sharing hard

            Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

            • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

              Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

        • Division as equal sharing soft

          Finding fractions of quantities uses equal sharing (division)

          • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

            Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

        • Fraction Notation hard

          Writing fractions like 1/3 and 3/4 requires knowing numerator and denominator

      • Counting in 2s soft

        Skip counting supports counting in tenths

  • Fractions of a whole hard

    Must understand unit fractions before placing them on number line

    • Fractions of amounts hard

      Recognising fractions of shapes/quantities is prerequisite to formal unit fraction understanding

      • Finding halves and quarters (age 5+) hard

        Working with 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 extends from Y1 understanding of quarters

        • What Is a Half? hard

          Understanding quarters extends from understanding halves — both are equal parts but quarters requires dividing into 4

          • Division as equal sharing hard

            Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

            • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

              Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • What Is a Half? hard

        Working with fractions extends from Y1 understanding of halves

        • Division as equal sharing hard

          Finding a half requires equal sharing into 2 groups — a division concept

          • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

            Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • Division as equal sharing soft

        Finding fractions of quantities uses equal sharing (division)

        • Subtraction as taking away or separating hard

          Division as equal sharing/grouping requires understanding subtraction as taking away/separating

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding subtraction as taking away requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • Fraction Notation hard

        Writing fractions like 1/3 and 3/4 requires knowing numerator and denominator

    • Fraction Notation hard

      Understanding a/b as a parts of 1/b requires numerator, denominator, and unit fraction vocabulary

    • Splitting shapes into equal parts (age 7+) hard

      Partition into equal shares is prerequisite to understanding unit fractions