Plotting Fractions with Denominators of 10 and 100

Property To plot a fraction with a denominator of 10 or 100 on a number line, divide the segment between each whole number (e.g., 0 to 1, 1 to 2) into 10 or 100 equal intervals. The numerator indicates how many intervals to count from the starting whole number. For a mixed number $A \frac{b}{c}$, start at the whole number $A$ and count $b$ intervals.

Examples To locate $\frac{7}{10}$ on a number line, divide the space between 0 and 1 into 10 equal parts and place a point on the 7th mark. To locate $\frac{35}{100}$ on a number line, divide the space between 0 and 1 into 100 equal parts and place a point on the 35th mark. To locate $2 \frac{4}{10}$ on a number line, start at the whole number 2, and then move 4 tenths of the way towards 3.

Explanation Fractions with denominators of 10 or 100 are special because they directly correspond to decimal place values. To plot these fractions, you can think of the number line as a ruler divided into tenths or hundredths. The numerator tells you exactly how many of these small tick marks to count. For mixed numbers, locate the whole number first, and then use the numerator to count the fractional parts from there.