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Fraction foundations · Lesson 2 of 3

Fractions on a number line

Fractions are numbers, too. Find their places by counting equal steps from zero.

Explore it

Take equal steps from zero.

Choose a step size, then move the slider to travel along the number line.

3/401

3 steps of 1/4 = 3/4

Count the gaps, not the tick marks. There are 4 equal intervals and 5 tick marks.

Look a little closer

A fraction has a place.

The distance from 0 to 1 is one whole. Split that distance into 4 equal intervals. Each interval is 1/4 of the whole.

Start at 0. One step lands at 1/4, two at 2/4, and three at 3/4. A fourth step lands at 4/4, which is exactly 1.

A useful check: 3/4 lies between 0 and 1, closer to 1. Count the intervals you travel, not the tick mark where you start.

Give the idea a try.

Take your time. Each answer comes with an explanation, and you can try again.

Think it through · 1The distance from 0 to 1 is split into 4 equal intervals. Where do you land after 3 steps from 0?
Think it through · 2You take all 6 sixth-size steps from 0. Which number is 6/6 equal to?

Ready to use it?

Try fresh questions on this idea, or keep exploring the series.

Next lesson: Equivalent fractions