SME
Grade 4 Math · Problem type
Interpret line plots in quarter inches
Use this for a line plot of straws measured to the quarter inch: the total length, and the longest minus the shortest.
Chart
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3 3/4
1 straw
4
2 straws
4 1/4
0 straws
4 1/2
3 straws
4 3/4
1 straw
5
2 straws
5 1/4
1 straw
Length in inches, marked every 1/4: 3 3/4 to 5 1/4
Difference in length: 1 1/2 inches
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
Shortest mark
example · inches
Straws at mark 1
example
Straws at mark 2
example
Straws at mark 3
example
Straws at mark 4
example
Straws at mark 5
example
Straws at mark 6
example
Straws at mark 7
example
Difference in length
worked out (not typed) · inches
Total length
worked out (not typed) · inches
Formulas
the
longest
−
the
shortest
of
the
marks
from
3
3
4
by
1
4
with
1,
2,
0,
3,
1,
2,
1
=
1
1
2
Longest − shortest = difference in length
straws
×
length
at
each
mark
from
3
3
4
by
1
4
(1,
2,
0,
3,
1,
2,
1),
added:
45
1
4
Straws × length at each mark, added = total length
Assumptions
•
Each X is one straw, measured to the nearest 1/4 inch.
•
The marks start at the shortest length, which can be a fraction: 3 3/4, 4, 4 1/4 and on.
•
Longest − shortest uses the X’s at the ends of the plot.
•
The total length adds every straw: count × length at each mark.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Shortest mark: 3 3/4 inches
Straws at mark 1: 1
Straws at mark 2: 2
Straws at mark 3: 0
Straws at mark 4: 3
Straws at mark 5: 1
Straws at mark 6: 2
Straws at mark 7: 1
FIND
difference in length, total length
Step 1 · Find difference in length
the
longest
−
the
shortest
of
the
marks
from
3
3
4
by
1
4
with
1,
2,
0,
3,
1,
2,
1
=
?
Longest − shortest = difference in length
Find the X’s farthest apart. Take the shortest length from the longest.
5
1
4
−
3
3
4
=
1
1
2
Difference
in
length
=
1
1
2
inches
Step 2 · Find total length
straws
×
length
at
each
mark
from
3
3
4
by
1
4
(1,
2,
0,
3,
1,
2,
1),
added:
?
Straws × length at each mark, added = total length
Each length times the X’s above it, all added.
1
×
3
3
4
=
3
3
4
2 × 4 = 8
3
×
4
1
2
=
13
1
2
1
×
4
3
4
=
4
3
4
2 × 5 = 10
1
×
5
1
4
=
5
1
4
3
3
4
in
+
8
in
+
13
1
2
in
+
4
3
4
in
+
10
in
+
5
1
4
in
=
45
1
4
in
Total
length
=
45
1
4
inches
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
5
1
4
−
3
3
4
=
1
1
2
✓
1
×
3
3
4
+
2
×
4
+
3
×
4
1
2
+
1
×
4
3
4
+
2
×
5
+
1
×
5
1
4
=
45
1
4
✓
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Interpret line plots in eighths of an inch
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Multiply a fraction by a whole number
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