Skill: Place fractions on a number line

A fraction tells you where to place a point on a number line:

• The denominator tells how many equal parts to divide each whole into.
• The numerator tells how many of those parts to count from $0$.

Example: Locate $\frac{7}{4}$

1. The denominator is $4$, so divide each whole-number interval into $4$ equal parts.
2. Count $7$ parts from $0$:
   • After $4$ parts, you reach $1$.
   • Count $3$ more parts to reach $\frac{7}{4}$.
3. The point is at $1\frac{3}{4}$, because

$$\frac{7}{4}=1\frac{3}{4}.$$ $$0\quad \frac14\quad \frac24\quad \frac34\quad 1\quad \frac54\quad \frac64\quad \frac74\quad 2$$

So, $\frac{7}{4}$ is the point three fourths of the way from $1$ to $2$.

Remember: if the numerator is smaller than the denominator, the fraction is between $0$ and $1$. If the numerator equals the denominator, the fraction equals $1$. If the numerator is larger, the fraction is greater than $1$.