Everyone
is familiar
with
number
lines.
We use them in
our daily life
on a
routine basis
to compare
values -
smaller to
bigger - bigger
to
smaller.
For example,
the speedometer
in a car is a
number line, a
ruler is a
number line,
the numbering
on a football
field is a
number line,
the pages in a
book fall on a
number line, a
student's
grade falls on
a number line,
the dial on a
radio is a
number line, a
thermometer is
a number line,
etc.
. . .
Fractions
Comparing
"fractions"
on a number
line is similar
to using a
number line to
compare
integers and
decimals.
However, to
plot fractions
on a number
line, they must
usually be
converted to
decimals.
After a
fraction has
been converted
to a decimal,
plotting it on
a number line
is
straightforward.
Comparing
fractions is
now a case of
comparing
decimals. When
two different
decimals are
plotted on a
horizontal
number line,
one of the
numbers will be
plotted to the
left of the
other number.
The number
plotted on the
left is the
smaller number.
The number
plotted on the
right hand side
is the larger
number.
When two
different
numbers are
plotted on a
vertical number
line, one of
the numbers
will be plotted
below the other
number. The
number plotted
below the other
number is the
smaller number.
The number
plotted highest
on a vertical
number line is
the larger
number.
For
Example:
Compare
the fractions
and
.

Number
Line
The number line
shows that
is
less
than
.

The number line
shows that
is
greater
than
.
