Worked example
31 October 2026
Understanding fractions on number lines helps children see how numbers are split into equal parts. This skill is important for 11+ maths and builds confidence with fractions.
Example question
A number line goes from 0 to 1. It is divided into 4 equal parts. There is a mark at the third part. What fraction does the mark show?
Step 1: Look at the number line. It starts at 0 and ends at 1.
Step 2: Count the equal parts between 0 and 1. There are 4 parts.
Step 3: The denominator of the fraction is 4.
Step 4: Count the marks from 0 to the marked point. The mark is at the third part.
Step 5: The numerator of the fraction is 3.
The answer is 3/4.
Key insight: The denominator tells you how many equal parts. The numerator tells you how many parts from zero.
Click or tap on the number line to answer
Now your child can spot the numerator and denominator just by looking at the number line. The next step is to practise with similar questions to build fluency.
