Create and Read a Line Plot with Fractional Data

Students will create a line plot to display measurement data containing halves and fourths of an inch. They will set up a number line with appropriate fractional labels, place X marks for each data point, and then answer questions by reading the completed line plot.

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Real questions from this skill, graded here. No account, and nothing is saved.

Grade 3 · Measurement Data & Line Plots · question 1 of 3

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12 rungs. A star at the top.

Which shell length turned up most for these shells?

Your answer:

How it is taught

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A line plot shows each measure as a mark.

The tallest stack is the most common length.

Read it: Line plots in halves and quarters

5 ribbons measured to the nearest 1/4 inch: 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/4, 2 1/4 and 2 3/4. Put an X above each length: 3 X's stack at 2 1/4.

Measure each ribbon to the nearest 1/4 inch.
Put 1 X above its length on the line plot.
Read the plot: the tallest stack is the most common length.

Each X stands for 1 ribbon, so ribbons of the same length stack up.

The quarter marks between 2 and 3 are 2 1/4, 2 1/2 and 2 3/4.

The tallest stack shows the most common length: 3 X's stand above 2 1/4 inches.

One X for each ribbon, above its length: then read the stacks.

Counting the lengths along the scale instead of the X's above them.

Count the X's: 3 X's stand above 2 1/4, so 3 ribbons measured 2 1/4 inches.

Ribbons were measured: 3 measure 1 1/4 inches, 2 measure 1 3/4 inches and 4 measure 2 1/4 inches. Make a line plot of them. How many X's go at 2 1/4 inches? — 4. Each ribbon is 1 X at its own length, and 4 ribbons measure 2 1/4 inches: 4 X's stack there.

Plotting 8 pencil lengths in inches

We measured eight pencils with a ruler. Some were three inches, some longer. Let's show all the lengths on a line plot.

Here are our eight measurements, in inches. Notice some have halves and fourths.

First, draw a number line that fits all our data, from three to four inches.

Now split each inch into fourths and label them: three and one-fourth, three and one-half, three and three-fourths.

One pencil was three inches. Place an X above the three.

One pencil was three and one-fourth. Place an X there.

Three pencils were three and one-half. Stack three Xs above that tick.

One pencil was three and three-fourths.

And two pencils were exactly four inches. Stack two Xs above the four.

Look at this line plot. How many pencils were three and one-half inches long?

Grade 3 · Measure, plot, and read fractional data

Count the Xs above three and one-half. One, two, three — three pencils!

A line plot lets us see fraction data at a glance. The tallest stack is the most common length.

Now you try. Read the tallest stack on this plot. Which length appears most?

What you see

While they climb, your page writes one true line to ask about tonight, and a short note each Sunday.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics

Did you know?

A chessboard has 64 squares — share them out between the 8 rows and each row holds exactly 8.

Today’s goal: 1 star — one skill mastered, every rung of its ladder climbed
Climbing now: Divide within 100

An example student.

MayaGrade 3 · Mathematics

Maya earned 2 stars this week — Interpret multiplication as equal groups, which took 6 answers over 3 days before its star landed 3 days ago and Multiply by 6, 7, 8 and 9. Next up: Divide within 100.

An example week.

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