A number line can be used to show where different fractions are positioned in relation to each other.
Let's say for example that we're trying to understand whether 5/8 is greater than 3/8.
We could create a number line that starts with 0 on the low end, and 1 on the top end.
This number line would look like this:
- 0/8
- 1/8
- 2/8
- 3/8
- 4/8
- 5/8
- 6/8
- 7/8
- 8/8
The 0/8 is equal to 0, the lower end of the number line.
8/8 is equal to 1, the higher end of the line.
As you can see, 5/8 is closer to the higher end than 3/8.
Voila! You've just used a number line to compare 2 fractions.