VidaaraPlay
Door 16 · Grade 4

📐 Line Plots with Fractions

A line plot shows data using X marks above a number line

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Understanding and Reading Line Plots

A line plot (also called a dot plot) is a graph that shows data along a number line. Each X above the number line represents one piece of data.
Key terms:
• Mode = most common value (where the most X's are)
• Range = largest value minus smallest value
• Total = each value multiplied by its count, then all added together

Line plots work with whole numbers AND fractions on the number line.

Worked example

Problem: From the line plot above (ribbon lengths), how many ribbons are shown in total?

  1. Count all X's: 2 (at 3 in) + 3 (at 3.5 in) + 2 (at 4 in) + 1 (at 4.5 in) = 8 ribbons.

Answer: Count all X's: 2 (at 3 in) + 3 (at 3.5 in) + 2 (at 4 in) + 1 (at 4.5 in) = 8 ribbons.

Creating Line Plots from Data

How to Create a Line Plot:
• Step 1: Find the range — identify the smallest and largest values
• Step 2: Draw a number line with equal intervals covering all values
• Step 3: Label the number line (use fractions where needed)
• Step 4: Place one X above the number for each data point
• Step 5: Give the plot a clear title

Line plots with fractions often use intervals of 1/4 or 1/2.

Worked example

Problem: Create a line plot for ribbon lengths (cm): 5, 5.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 5.5, 5, 6

  1. Range: 5 to 6.
  2. Draw number line from 5 to 6 with 0.5 intervals.
  3. At 5: 3 X's.
  4. At 5.5: 3 X's.
  5. At 6: 2 X's.

Answer: At 6: 2 X's.

Finding Totals and Differences from Line Plots

Line plots help us calculate quickly:
Finding Total: For each value, multiply it by the number of X's above it. Then add all products.
Finding Difference: Subtract the smallest value from the largest value shown on the plot.
Finding Average (Mean): Divide total by the number of data points (number of X's).
These skills apply to line plots with fractions too — multiply fractions by counts carefully!

Worked example

Problem: A line plot shows stick lengths (ft): 2 sticks at 1 ft, 3 sticks at 2 ft, 1 stick at 3 ft. Find total length.

  1. Total = (1 x 2) + (2 x 3) + (3 x 1) = 2 + 6 + 3 = 11 feet.

Answer: Total = (1 x 2) + (2 x 3) + (3 x 1) = 2 + 6 + 3 = 11 feet.