Measurement & Data
GradesGrade 4Measurement & DataLine Plots with Fractions

Line Plots with Fractions

📐 Measurement & Data
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Line Plots with Fractions

Line plots display measurement data as X marks on a number line — including fractions!

A LINE PLOT displays data by placing an X above a number line for each data value. In Grade 4, line plots include fractional values (½, ¼, ⅛). Each X represents one measurement. Use line plots to identify the most common value (mode), find the range, or calculate totals.

📏Line plot — plant heights (in inches) after one week
Data: ½, 1, ½, 1½, 1, ¾, 1, ½, 1, ¾

  X       X
  X   XX  X   X
──|───|───|───|─
 ½   ¾    1  1½   (inches)

Most common height: 1 inch (appears 4 times = mode)

How to read a line plot:

1Count the Xs at each value to find frequency
2The value with the MOST Xs is the mode (most common)
3Range = rightmost value − leftmost value
4Total = add all the data values (multiply each value by its X count)

How to create a line plot:

1Draw a number line and label all possible data values (including fractions)
2For each data point, place one X directly above its value
3Stack Xs vertically when the same value appears more than once
4Give the plot a title and label the axis with units
✏️ Try It!

A line plot shows: 2 Xs at ½ inch, 3 Xs at 1 inch, 1 X at 1½ inches. What is the TOTAL length of all measurements combined?

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Remember This!

When adding fractional data points, convert everything to the same denominator first. If you have ½, ¾, and 1¼, convert to fourths (2/4, 3/4, 5/4) — then add!

Take Quiz 📝 — 25 Questions