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Grade 4 · Maths · Lessons
Making a line plot
📏ruler❌X✏️crayons🔢eighths
Line plots.
The big ideaCount the parts past the whole inch. Add or take away eighths like counting.

How it works

Measure to the nearest eighth of an inch and put one X over each length.

Count the parts past the whole inch. Add or take away eighths like counting.

Read the line plot by counting X's.

Parts• 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8• 8/8 make 1 inchSame sizes• 2/8 = 1/4• 4/8 = 1/2
Eighths of an inch.

Example 1: Read a length

  1. A craft stick reaches 2 whole inches and then 1/4 more.
  2. Write the whole inches, then the part.
  3. It is 2 1/4 inches long.

Example 2: Count X's

  1. A line plot has 1 X over 2 and 2 X's over 2 1/8.
  2. Count the X's over the length asked.
  3. Add them to answer a question like 'how many in all?'

Example 3: Add two lengths

  1. Two crayons are 3 inches and 2 1/2 inches.
  2. Add the wholes: 3 plus 2 is 5. Then the half: 5 and a half.
  3. Together they are 5 1/2 inches.

Words to know

line plot
A number line with X's to show how many of each length.
eighth
One of eight equal parts.

Watch out

Try it

  1. How many eighths make one inch?
  2. A pencil is 4 whole inches and 3/8 more. How long?
  3. One crayon is 2 in and another is 1 1/2 in. How long end to end?
  4. What goes over each length on a line plot?
Answers: 1. 8 · 2. 4 3/8 in · 3. 3 1/2 in · 4. an X
For grown-upsMeasure ten leaves or crayons to the nearest eighth and make a line plot.
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