Grade 5 Data & Graphs: Fraction Line Plots
Line plots with fraction data
What You'll Learn
- Find the difference between the greatest and least measurement
- Add equal fractional measurements
- Rewrite the greatest and least measurements with a common denominator to find their difference
📖Fraction Plots
Use the fractions on the line plot to solve problems: subtract to find a difference, add to find a total.
✏️Example
Longest ribbon 7/8 inch, shortest 1/4 inch: 7/8 − 2/8 = 5/8 inch.
Worked examples
Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.
Example 1
Beetle Lengths Each X is one beetle.
What is the difference in length between the longest beetle and the shortest beetle?
- The greatest measurement is the X farthest right: 1 1/4. The least is the X farthest left: 1/8.
- Write both with the same denominator, 8: 1 1/4 = 10/8 and 1/8 = 1/8. Subtract: 10/8 − 1/8 = 9/8 = 1 1/8.
- So the difference is 1 1/8 inches.
Answer: 1 1/8
Example 2
Beetle Lengths Each X is one beetle.
What is the total length of all the beetles that are 1/4 inch long?
- There are 2 X’s above 1/4, so 2 beetles each measure 1/4 inch.
- Add them: 1/4 + 1/4 = 2 × 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2.
- So the total is 1/2 inch.
Answer: 1/2
Example 3
Trail Mix Bags Each X is one bag of trail mix.
How many bags of trail mix weigh more than 1 1/4 pounds?
- Greater amounts are to the right of 1 1/4 on the number line (do not count the X’s at 1 1/4 itself).
- X’s to the right: 1 3/4 → 1, 2 → 1, 2 1/4 → 3, 2 1/2 → 2.
- Add them: 1 + 1 + 3 + 2 = 7. So the answer is 7.
Answer: 7