Fractions
 can be compared 
by using a number line.

Number Lines can also help 
to see how to 
+  -  x  ÷
fractions.

I IIIIIIIII
 0            ¼             ½            ¾             1           1 ¼          1 ½         1 ¾            2           2 ¼

                       ¹/₄    +    ¹/₄   +     ¹/₄

 ¼  + ¾  = 1

because we start at ¼ and add (+)  three ¼'s  (or ¾)
to bring us to 1 whole  

I IIIIIIIII
 0            ¼             ½            ¾             1           1 ¼          1 ½         1 ¾            2           2 ¼

                       ^{1 1}/₄   -   ¹/₄   =    ¹

 1¼  -  ¹/₄ = 1

because we start at 1¼ and subtract (-)   ¼  
to bring us to 1 whole  

0          ¼          ½          ¾            1         1 ¼       1 ½        1 ¾          2         2 ¼        2¹/₂

               _{1x                         2x                        3x                      4x                         5x}

 5  x  ¹/₂ =  2 ¹/₂

because 5  x  ¹/₂  is like moving a ¹/₂  five times
to bring us to 2 ¹/₂

Number lines can:

* help determine greater than and less than

* help in adding (+), subtracting (-), multiplying (x), and dividing (÷).

Let's Practice