Differences of fractions can be approximated on number lines. For example, place

Question

Differences of fractions can be approximated on number lines. For example, place the edge of a piece of paper on the fifths line below, and mark off the length 3/5. Then place the end of the marked-off length at the 1 7/8 point on the eighths line to approximate the difference 1 7/8 - 3/5. a. Using the preceding fifths and eighths number lines to approximate 1 4/5 - 5/8, what is the closest number on the fifths number line for this difference? b. Using the preceding eighths and fifths number lines to approximate l 7/8 - 3/5, what is the closest number on the eighths number line for this difference?

Explanation / Answer

a.

To approximate the difference 1 4/5 - 5/8, we have to place the edge of the paper on the eighths line and mark off the length 5/8. Then we have to put the marked off length at the point 1 4/5. When we do so the other end of the marked length will lie between 1 and 1 1/5. Since the difference between every consecutive point on the fifths line is 1/5, the closest number on the fifths number line for this difference will be 1 1/5.

b.

To approximate the difference 1 7/8 - 3/5, we have to place the edge of the paper on the fifths line and mark off the length 3/5. Then we have to put the marked off length at the point 1 7/8. When we do so the other end of the marked length will lie approximately at 1 4/8. Since the difference between every consecutive point on the fifths Therefore, the closest number on the eighths number line for this difference will be 1 4/8.

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