Number Line Fractions

Concept

Fractions represent parts of a whole. So, fractions on the number line are represented by making equal parts of a whole i.e. 0 to 1, and the number of those equal parts would be the same as the number written in the denominator of the fraction.

Rules

To plot or write a fraction on a number line:
Step 1: Draw a number line of a suitable length.
Step 2: If the given fraction is a proper fraction, then mark points 0 and 1 on the number line. Or, if it is an improper fraction, then first convert it into a mixed fraction, and then mark two integers between those the given fraction lies. For example, to represent $\fn_phv \frac{3}{2}$ or $\fn_phv 1\frac{1}{2}$ , mark points 1 and 2 on the number line.
Step 3: Draw an equal number of parts of the numbers marked in step 2 which will be equal to the denominator of the fraction.
Step 4: Starting from the left point, count forward the number of parts shown by the numerator.
Step 5: Mark the point on the line.

Example

Graph $\fn_phv \frac{4}{6}$ on the number line.

Solution

The line is divided into 6 parts.
Starting from the left point, count forward the number of parts shown by the numerator.
In this case the numerator is 4. This fraction will be graphed right next to $\fn_phv \frac{3}{6}$ .