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

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

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.