SME
Grade 4 Math · Problem type
Interpret line plots in eighths of an inch
Use this to add up lengths in eighths of an inch from a line plot, and find the longest minus the shortest.
Chart
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1/8
2 seeds
2/8
4 seeds
3/8
1 seed
4/8
5 seeds
5/8
2 seeds
Length in inches
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
Seeds at 1/8 inch
example
Seeds at 2/8 inch
example
Seeds at 3/8 inch
example
Seeds at 4/8 inch
example
Seeds at 5/8 inch
example
Difference in length
worked out (not typed) · eighths of an inch
Total length
worked out (not typed) · inches
Formulas
eighths from the shortest to the longest of 2, 4, 1, 5, 2 = 4
Longest − shortest = difference in length
2
×
1
8
+
4
×
2
8
+
1
×
3
8
+
5
×
4
8
+
2
×
5
8
=
5
3
8
Objects × length at each mark, added = total length
Assumptions
•
Each X is one seed, measured to the nearest 1/8 inch.
•
Longest − shortest uses the X’s at the ends of the plot.
•
The total length adds every seed: count × length at each mark.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Seeds at 1/8 inch: 2
Seeds at 2/8 inch: 4
Seeds at 3/8 inch: 1
Seeds at 4/8 inch: 5
Seeds at 5/8 inch: 2
FIND
difference in length, total length
Step 1 · Find difference in length
eighths from the shortest to the longest of 2, 4, 1, 5, 2 = ?
Longest − shortest = difference in length
Find the X’s farthest right and farthest left. Subtract the eighths.
5
8
−
1
8
=
4
8
Difference
in
length
=
4
eighths
of
an
inch
(
4
8
inch)
Step 2 · Find total length
2
×
1
8
+
4
×
2
8
+
1
×
3
8
+
5
×
4
8
+
2
×
5
8
=
?
Objects × length at each mark, added = total length
At each mark, multiply the count by the eighths. Add them all.
2
×
1
8
=
2
8
4
×
2
8
=
8
8
1
×
3
8
=
3
8
5
×
4
8
=
20
8
2
×
5
8
=
10
8
2
+
8
+
3
+
20
+
10
=
43,
so
43
8
inch
Total
length
=
5
3
8
inches
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
eighths from the shortest to the longest of 2, 4, 1, 5, 2 = 4 ✓
2
×
1
8
+
4
×
2
8
+
1
×
3
8
+
5
×
4
8
+
2
×
5
8
=
5
3
8
✓
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
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