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

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can estimate the position of a number on a number line using fraction sense.

      Key learning points

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

      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.

      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?

      Teacher tip

      Children need to understand, that with mixed numbers, the whole number part is the most significant part and tells us which two integers it sits between on a number line. Support children to develop 'fraction sense' with fractions that are near a whole.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Look at this number $$5{{2} \over {9}}$$ We say it as five and two .

      Correct Answer: ninths

      Q2.
      Look at the part-part-whole model. What is the value of the whole number part of this mixed number?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 11

      Q3.
      Look at the number line. Where would 78 be positioned?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      B
      C
      Correct answer: D

      Q4.
      Look at this number line. What is the missing number?

      An image in a quiz
      2
      5
      Correct answer: $$ {2} \over {5}$$
      $$ {5} \over {2}$$

      Q5.
      Look at the number line. Which number is smaller than two but close to two?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ {3} \over {4}$$
      $$1{{2} \over {4}}$$
      Correct answer: $$1{{3} \over {4}}$$
      $$2{{1} \over {4}}$$

      Q6.
      Look at the number line. Where would $$1{{4} \over {6}}$$ be positioned?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      Correct answer: B
      C
      D

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      On a number line, which integer would be before the mixed number $$4 {{3} \over {4}}$$ ?

      Correct Answer: 4, four

      Q2.
      Which of these is an accurate estimation for the position of one and one-fifth?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      Correct answer: B
      C
      D

      Q3.
      Match these numbers to their position on the number line.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:A,$$5{{5} \over {6}}$$

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

      Correct Answer:B,$$6{{1} \over {6}}$$

      $$6{{1} \over {6}}$$

      Correct Answer:C,$$7{{1} \over {2}}$$

      $$7{{1} \over {2}}$$

      Correct Answer:D,$$8{{5} \over {6}}$$

      $$8{{5} \over {6}}$$

      Q4.
      Match these numbers to their position on the number line.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:A,$$ {1} \over {3}$$

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

      Correct Answer:B,$$1{{1} \over {5}}$$

      $$1{{1} \over {5}}$$

      Correct Answer:C,$$1{{1} \over {2}}$$

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

      Correct Answer:D,$$1{{5} \over {6}}$$

      $$1{{5} \over {6}}$$

      Q5.
      Which of the following numbers is represented by the letter ‘A’?

      An image in a quiz
      $$ {1} \over {10}$$
      $$2{{1} \over {10}}$$
      Correct answer: $$3{{1} \over {10}}$$
      $$3{{1} \over {2}}$$
      $$3{{3} \over {5}}$$

      Q6.
      Which of these numbers could be being represented by the letter ‘A’?

      An image in a quiz
      $$10{{5} \over {6}}$$
      $$11{{1} \over {2}}$$
      Correct answer: $$11{{5} \over {6}}$$
      Correct answer: $$11{{7} \over {8}}$$
      $$12{{5} \over {6}}$$

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