How to Order Decimals Using a Number Line
Ordering decimals using a number line is a number visualization method practiced by students all over the world. A number line allows you to establish point locations for both negative and positive fractions, which can come in handy when determining the relative order of a set of fractions. By using a simple ruler, you can create a number line that will allow you to arrange decimals in a short amount of time.
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Instructions
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Place the paper on a flat surface horizontally in front of you. Lay the ruler horizontally on top of the paper.
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Hold ruler in place and draw a line along the top edge of the ruler using a fine tipped marker.
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3
Draw a 1/2 inch line with a fine tipped marker, up from every inch mark along the ruler (excluding number six). At six, draw a 1 inch line up. Remove the ruler from the paper.
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4
Draw an open-end arrow with the fine tipped marker at each end of the number line. This will appear as "<----|---->".
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5
Write a "0" above the 1 inch line with the fine tipped marker. This will be the center of the number line, which will be a division for negative and positive decimals.
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6
Write a "1" above the 1/4 inch lines immediately before and after the "0". Continue to number the 1/4 inch lines in 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on until every line has a number value.
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Draw ten evenly-spaced 1/8 inch lines between each number value using the fine tipped marker. This will divide each whole number into ten separate decimal sections.
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Arrange the decimal sets on the number line. For example, for -2.3, find the spot between -2 and -3, and count three 1/8 inch lines from the -2 towards -3 and draw a 1/2 inch line up from this location using a pencil.
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- Photo Credit measuring tool image by Michalis Palis from Fotolia.com
