CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.B.4
The Standard
Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions by using information presented in line plots.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Measurement and Data
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students organize fractional measurements on a correctly scaled line plot using halves, fourths, or eighths. They read the plot and add or subtract fractions to answer questions about the data.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students create an accurately scaled line plot and place one mark for each measurement. They use the plot to find totals, differences, and how many measurements match a given value.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may space fractional values unevenly, skip unlabeled intervals, or count tick marks instead of intervals. They may subtract the number of data points rather than the measurement values when finding a difference.
How to Assess It
- Give students the measurements 1/2, 3/4, 3/4, 1, and 1 1/4 inches. Ask them to make a line plot and find the difference between the longest and shortest measurements.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have students measure five classroom objects to the nearest 1/4 inch, then combine the results into a class line plot.
Show a fraction line plot and ask, "How much longer is the longest object than the shortest, and how do you know?"
Play Line Plot Detective by giving pairs a plot and fraction questions to solve, then having them check answers with another pair.
Use plant heights measured to the nearest 1/2 inch to compare the tallest, shortest, and total growth shown on a line plot.
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Printable 4.MD.B.4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.B.4, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Measurement & Data progression map.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
- CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.B.4
Students extend line plots from halves and quarters to eighths, then use the plotted measurements for fraction addition and subtraction.
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.B.3d
Adding and subtracting fractional measurements in line plot questions uses the same like-denominator fraction reasoning from word problems.
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.B.3a
Students use joining and separating same-unit fractions to combine or compare fractional measurements shown on the line plot.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD.B.2
Grade 5 line plots extend the same fractional measurement displays from fraction addition and subtraction to broader fraction operations.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.SP.A.1
Line plots of measurement data give students concrete experience seeing data values vary, which supports identifying questions that expect varied answers.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.D.9
Generate measurement data by measuring lengths of several objects to the nearest whole unit, or by making repeated measurements of the same object. Show the mea...
- CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.B.7c
Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual ...
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