Fractions on a number line, step by step
A number line shows a fraction as a distance, not a piece of pie — the idea that unlocks comparing and adding later.
The question
2/3 on a number line
gaps:3marks:4
each gap:
each gap:
gaps counted:2
- Count the GAPS between the marks, not the marks. A line cut into 3 has 4 marks on it — counting those gives 4, and the answer comes out wrong in a way that still looks like a fraction.
- 3 gaps between 0 and 1, so each one is a third — that is the bottom number.
- Then count gaps from 0 to the mark: 2. So it is 2/3.
How it works.
- 01
Count the GAPS between the marks, not the marks. A line cut into 3 has 4 marks on it — counting those gives 4, and the answer comes out wrong in a way that still looks like a fraction.
- 02
3 gaps between 0 and 1, so each one is a third — that is the bottom number.
- 03
Then count gaps from 0 to the mark: 2. So it is 2/3.