Consider this set of fractions.

2
3
, −2
3
, 1, −1, 1
3
, −1
3

Explain the order and placement of these numbers on the number line.

1 answer

To order and place the given fractions and whole numbers on a number line, we need to convert them into a consistent representation and understand their values:

  1. Convert the numbers to a common format:

    • \( \frac{2}{3} \): This is approximately 0.67.
    • \( -\frac{2}{3} \): This is approximately -0.67.
    • \( 1 \): This is just 1.
    • \( -1 \): This is just -1.
    • \( \frac{1}{3} \): This is approximately 0.33.
    • \( -\frac{1}{3} \): This is approximately -0.33.
  2. Order the numbers from least to greatest:

    • Start from the left (the most negative) to the right (the most positive):
    • \( -1 \): This is the leftmost point.
    • \( -\frac{2}{3} \): This is greater than -1 and approximately -0.67.
    • \( -\frac{1}{3} \): This is greater than \( -\frac{2}{3} \) and approximately -0.33.
    • \( \frac{1}{3} \): This is greater than \( -\frac{1}{3} \) and approximately 0.33.
    • \( \frac{2}{3} \): This is greater than \( \frac{1}{3} \) and approximately 0.67.
    • \( 1 \): This is the rightmost point.
  3. Number Line Representation: Placing these values on a number line would look like this:

  -1      -2/3       -1/3      0        1/3     2/3       1
<---|-------|---------|--------|--------|-------|--------|--->

Summary of the Order:

  • From left to right, the order of the numbers is:
    • \( -1 \)
    • \( -\frac{2}{3} \)
    • \( -\frac{1}{3} \)
    • \( 0 \)
    • \( \frac{1}{3} \)
    • \( \frac{2}{3} \)
    • \( 1 \)

This shows how each fraction and whole number fits on the number line in relation to each other, providing a clear visualization of their relative sizes.