We can plot decimals on number lines, just as we do with fractions and mixed numbers.

To demonstrate how this works, let's plot the following decimal on a number line:

0.8

First, since 0.8 lies between the whole numbers 0 and 1, we start by creating a number line between these two whole numbers.



Now, notice that 0.8 has one decimal place. In other words, the decimal part goes up to tenths. So, we split the line segment between 0 and 1 into 10 equal parts. Each part gives \dfrac{1}{10} = 0.1 (one-tenth) of a whole.



The decimal {\color{red}0}.\!{\color{blue}8} has {\color{red}0} ones and {\color{blue}8} tenths. So, we start at the point \color{red}0 and move \color{blue}8 steps to the right:



Therefore, we conclude that the decimal 0.8 plotted on a number line looks as follows:


Let's now look at an example of a decimal containing a whole number part and a decimal part.

FLAG

What decimal is shown as the plotted point on the number line below?

EXPLANATION

Each line segment between two whole numbers is split into 10 equal parts. So, each part gives \dfrac{1}{10} = 0.1 (one-tenth) of a whole.

Now, notice that our point is \color{blue}5 steps to the right of {\color{red}8}.

The decimal has \color{red}8 ones and \color{blue}5 tenths. Therefore, the point represents the decimal {\color{red}8}.\!{\color{blue}5}.

FLAG

The decimal shown as the plotted point on the number line above is

a
b
c
d
e

The decimal shown as the plotted point on the number line above is

a
$0.3$
b
$1.6$
c
$1.7$
d
$1.3$
e
$-1.3$

Plot the number 4.3 on the number line below.

EXPLANATION

Each of the line segments between the whole numbers 4 and 5 is split into 10 equal parts. So, each part gives \dfrac{1}{10} = 0.1 (one-tenth) of a whole.

The decimal {\color{red}4}.\!{\color{blue}3} has {\color{red}4} ones and {\color{blue}3} tenths. So, we start at the point \color{red}4 and move \color{blue}3 steps to the right:

FLAG

On which of the following number lines is the point $2.6$ plotted?

a
b
c
d
e

On which of the following number lines is the point $0.6$ plotted?

a
b
c
d
e

We can plot decimals up to hundredths on a number line in a similar way.

For example, let's plot the following decimal on a number line:

1.26

First, notice that 1.26 lies between two tenths, namely 1.2 and 1.3. So, we start by creating a number line between these tenths.



Now, notice that 1.26 has two decimal places. In other words, the decimal part goes up to hundredths. So, we split the line segment between 1.2 and 1.3 into 10 equal parts. Each part gives \dfrac{1}{100} = 0.01 (one-hundredth) of a whole.



The decimal {\color{red}1}.\!{\color{red}2}{\color{blue}6} has {\color{red}1} one, {\color{red}2} tenths, and \color{blue}6 hundredths. So, we start at the point \color{red}1.2 and move \color{blue}6 steps to the right:



Therefore, we conclude that the decimal 1.26 plotted on a number line looks as follows:


FLAG

What decimal is shown as the plotted point on the number line below?

EXPLANATION

The line segment between each tenth is split into 10 equal parts. So, each part gives \dfrac{1}{100} = 0.01 (one-hundredth) of a whole.

Notice that our point is \color{blue}4 steps to the right of {\color{red}0.0}.

Hence, the decimal has {\color{red}0} ones, {\color{red}0} tenths, and {\color{blue}4} hundredths. Therefore, the point represents the decimal \bbox[3pt, Gainsboro]{\color{blue}{\color{red}0.0}{\color{blue}4}}.

FLAG

The decimal shown as the plotted point on the number line above is

a
b
c
d
e

Which decimal is shown as the plotted point on the number line above?

a
$6.01$
b
$6.09$
c
$5.09$
d
$5.01$
e
$6.11$

The decimal shown as the plotted point on the number line above is

a
b
c
d
e

Plot the number 3.04 on the number line below.

EXPLANATION

Each of the line segments between the tenths 3.0 and 3.1 is split into 10 equal parts. So, each part gives \dfrac{1}{100} = 0.01 (one-hundredth) of a whole.

The decimal {\color{red}3.0}{\color{blue}4} has {\color{red}3} ones, {\color{red}0} tenths, and {\color{blue}4} hundredths. So, we start at the point \color{red}3.0 and move \color{blue}4 steps to the right:

FLAG

On which of the following number lines is the point $1.15$ plotted?

a
b
c
d
e

On which of the following number lines is the point $0.72$ plotted?

a
b
c
d
e
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