Estimate the position of a number on a number line using fraction sense | Maths

Starter quiz

Look at this number $5{{2} \over {9}}$ We say it as five and two ______.

'ninths' ✓
Look at the part-part-whole model. What is the value of the whole number part of this mixed number?

'11' ✓
Look at the number line. Where would 78 be positioned?

A

B

C

D ✓
Look at this number line. What is the missing number?

2

5

${2} \over {5}$ ✓

${5} \over {2}$
Look at the number line. Which number is smaller than two but close to two?

${3} \over {4}$

$1{{2} \over {4}}$

$1{{3} \over {4}}$ ✓

$2{{1} \over {4}}$
$Look at the number line. Where would <Math>1{{4} \over {6}}</Math> be positioned?$

Look at the number line. Where would $1{{4} \over {6}}$ be positioned?

A

B ✓

C

D

Exit quiz

On a number line, which integer would be before the mixed number $4 {{3} \over {4}}$ ?

'4' ✓
Which of these is an accurate estimation for the position of one and one-fifth?

A

B ✓

C

D
Match these numbers to their position on the number line.

A

⇔

$5{{5} \over {6}}$ ✓

B

⇔

$6{{1} \over {6}}$ ✓

C

⇔

$7{{1} \over {2}}$ ✓

D

⇔

$8{{5} \over {6}}$ ✓
Match these numbers to their position on the number line.

A

⇔

${1} \over {3}$ ✓

B

⇔

$1{{1} \over {5}}$ ✓

C

⇔

$1{{1} \over {2}}$ ✓

D

⇔

$1{{5} \over {6}}$ ✓
Which of the following numbers is represented by the letter ‘A’?

${1} \over {10}$

$2{{1} \over {10}}$

$3{{1} \over {10}}$ ✓

$3{{1} \over {2}}$

$3{{3} \over {5}}$
Which of these numbers could be being represented by the letter ‘A’?

$10{{5} \over {6}}$

$11{{1} \over {2}}$

$11{{5} \over {6}}$ ✓

$11{{7} \over {8}}$ ✓

$12{{5} \over {6}}$

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

To estimate the position of mixed numbers on a number line, first identify which integers it sits between.
Then use the fractional part and fraction-sense to decide where, within the known interval, the mixed number sits.

Common misconception

Children may struggle to estimate the position of a mixed number on a number line if their 'fraction sense' is not secure.

What do you notice about the mixed number? Remember, the whole number part is the most significant part - looking at this whole number part, which integers must the mixed number sit between? What do you notice about the fractional part?

Keywords

Integer - An integer is a number that has no fractional part - they are whole numbers. This includes the counting numbers e.g, 1, 2, 3 and zero.
Estimate - When we estimate, we find a value that is close enough to the right answer, usually with some thought or calculation involved.