Grade 3 Mathematics
A fraction shows a part of a whole. On a number line, fractions live between 0 and 1.
The denominator (bottom number) tells us how many equal parts.
The numerator (top number) tells us how many parts to count from 0.
Count the equal parts between 0 and 1. There are 4 parts. This is our denominator.
Count spaces from 0 to the red dot. We count 3 spaces. This is our numerator.
Write the fraction: numerator/denominator = 3/4
WRONG: Some students count the tick marks (lines) instead of the spaces. If you count 5 tick marks, you might think there are 5 parts. But there are only 4 SPACES!
RIGHT: Always count the SPACES (the gaps between the lines), not the lines themselves. The lines just mark where each space ends.
1. What fraction is shown by the dot?
How many equal parts? How many spaces from 0?
The fraction is:
2. What fraction is shown by the dot?
How many equal parts? How many spaces from 0?
The fraction is:
3. What fraction is shown by the dot?
How many equal parts? How many spaces from 0?
The fraction is: