Decimals on the Number Line — Visualization & Examples

(Video) Decimals on a Number Line

by Michele Hearn

This video by Michele Hearn shows you how to place decimals on a number line.

$\large{\text{Summary}}$

A decimal indicates a part of a whole. In other words, it's the place between two integers. If we take a number line from $0$ to $1$, we can split up the space between them into tenths.

If you were asked to show $0.3$ on the number line, we would put a dot on three tenths.

What if we don't have tenths? Can you figure out what decimal is being represented on the following number line?

To figure out what decimal this is, look at how many spaces there are between the integers. In this example, there are $4$ spaces, so the ticks represent fourths. $$\frac{x}{4}$$ Since the dot is on the third tick, it's on $\frac34$. We can convert this to the decimal $0.75$.

A decimal is between two whole numbers on the number line

Just like with fractions, a decimal appears between two whole numbers on the number line.

With just whole numbers on it, the number line usually looks like this:

Decimals appear between whole numbers on the number line:

Decimals on the Number Line

Decimals, just like fractions, appear between integers on a number line.

We are now going to take a look at some of the types of problems you might encounter about decimals on the number line.

Before you start these problems, make sure to go over the basics of decimals on the number line.

Since $5.18 > 5$ but $5.18 < 6$, it is between $5$ and $6$ on the number line.

There are $10$ spaces between each whole number, so the interval is $0.1$. Therefore, $0.6$ will be $6$ intervals after $0$, or $B$.

There are $10$ spaces between each whole number, so the interval is $0.1$. Since the dot is placed $2$ intervals after $1$, the decimal $1.2$ is being represented.