Concept

A fraction is a part of a whole. 

$\frac{\mathrm{Part}}{\mathrm{Whole}}$

The denominator is the bottom number in a fraction that represents how many total parts there are in the whole.

The numerator is the top number in a fraction that represents the number of parts represented by the fraction.

Rule

To plot a fraction on a number line:
1. Find the whole number to the left of the answer. This is the whole number in the mixed number answer.
2. Count how many parts the whole is being divided into. This number is the denominator.
3. Count the number of parts represented by the mixed number. This is the numerator.

Example

Write the missing mixed number on the number line.

Solution

$5\frac{3}{4}$

To plot a mixed number on a number line:

Find the whole number to the left of the answer (5). This is the whole number in the mixed number answer.

Count how many parts the whole is being divided into. (In this case, fourths). This number is the denominator (4).

Count the number of parts represented by the mixed number. (In this case, 3 parts). This is the numerator (3).

Write the mixed number fraction: $5\frac{3}{4}$

Pre-requisite Skills

Fractions - Part of a Whole (4.14.1)

Graph Unit Fractions on a Number Line (4.14.4)

Mixed Numbers (4.14.10)