Use a number line to add 5/4+(−2/4)

1 answer

To add \( \frac{5}{4} + \left(-\frac{2}{4}\right) \) using a number line, we can follow these steps:

  1. Convert the fractions to a decimal or mixed number:

    • \( \frac{5}{4} = 1.25 \) or \( 1 \frac{1}{4} \)
    • \( -\frac{2}{4} = -0.5 \) or \( -\frac{1}{2} \)
  2. Locate \( \frac{5}{4} \) on the number line:

    • \( 1 \frac{1}{4} = 1.25 \) is slightly to the right of 1.
  3. Move to the left by \( \frac{2}{4} \) or \( 0.5 \):

    • From \( 1.25 \) (or \( \frac{5}{4} \)), if we subtract \( 0.5 \) (or \( -\frac{2}{4} \)), we move half a unit to the left.
  4. Calculate the position:

    • \( 1.25 - 0.5 = 0.75 \)
    • In fractions, \( \frac{5}{4} - \frac{2}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \).
  5. Final result:

    • So, \( \frac{5}{4} + \left(-\frac{2}{4}\right) = \frac{3}{4} \).

On the number line, you would start at \( \frac{5}{4} \), move \( 0.5 \) units to the left, and end up at \( \frac{3}{4} \).