Graph unit fractions on number lines: Example question
31 October 2026
Unit fractions are fractions with 1 on top, like 1/4 or 1/3. To help your child understand these, it's useful to show how they fit on a number line. This makes it easier to see how fractions are part of a whole and how they compare to each other.
Worked example
Question: Plot 1/4 on a number line from 0 to 1.
Step 1: Look at the denominator. 1/4 means the whole is split into 4 equal parts.
Step 2: Draw a number line. Mark 0 at the start and 1 at the end.
Step 3: Split the space between 0 and 1 into 4 equal sections. Make a small mark at each section.
Step 4: The first mark after 0 shows 1/4. Write 1/4 above this mark.
The correct answer is: 1/4 is the first mark after 0 when you split 0 to 1 into 4 equal parts.
Click or tap on the number line to answer
After working through this example, your child will recognise where a unit fraction sits on a number line and how to split the line into equal parts. They are now ready to practise plotting other unit fractions on number lines, building confidence for 11+ questions.
