4th grade · Math · Unit 14 of 15
Line Plots & Data
Read data in fractions
What your child practices
Reading tables of measurements in halves, fourths and eighths of an inch, finding differences, comparing two classes, and choosing questions that need data.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: 4.MD.B.4 · making and reading line plots of measurements in fractions of a unit
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- A line plot or table shows how many things have each measurement.
- To compare lengths, subtract fractions with the same denominator.
- To compare groups, look at the same row in each group.
Example: The longest ribbon is 7/8 in and the shortest is 3/8 in. What is the difference? 7/8 − 3/8 = 4/8. 4/8 = 1/2. Answer: 1/2 inch
Line Plots & Data in Maine
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 14 of 15 in 4th grade Math, after Feet, Pounds & Gallons and before Times as Many.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Maine Department of Education
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What is the difference between the longest and the shortest length?
Ribbon (inches) Length (in) How many 1/4 2 1/2 4 3/4 6 - 5/8 in
- 1/2 in
- 1 in
- 1/4 in
1/2 in
Hint: Subtract: 3/4 − 1/4.
Question 2
How many were measured in all?
Plant growth (inches) Length (in) How many 5/8 5 3/4 4 7/8 1 - 8
- 12
- 13
- 10
10
Hint: Add the counts: 5 + 4 + 1.
Question 3
How many are 1/2 inch long?
Plant growth (inches) Length (in) How many 1/4 5 3/8 4 1/2 6 - 8
- 3
- 6
- 9
6
Hint: Find the row for that length.
Question 4
Which question needs data with many different answers?
- How tall am I?
- How long does it take each of us to run a lap?
- How many legs does a spider have?
- What is 8 × 7?
How long does it take each of us to run a lap?
Hint: A data question has answers that vary, so you collect many of them.
Question 5
How many more students in Room 4 than in Room 7 chose soccer?
Favorite recess game Game Room 4 Room 7 soccer 10 8 jump rope 6 3 tag 6 5 - 5
- 18
- 3
- 2
2
Hint: Room 4: 10. Room 7: 8. Subtract.
Question 6
All the pieces that are 7/8 inch long are laid end to end. How long is that?
Plant growth (inches) Length (in) How many 5/8 5 3/4 3 7/8 2 - 7/4 in
- 21/8 in
- 23/8 in
- 7/8 in
7/4 in
Hint: 2 pieces × 7/8 inch = 7/4 inch.