Estimate the position of 3-digit numbers on unmarked number lines

I can estimate the position of 3-digit numbers on an unmarked number line.

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Year 3

Estimate the position of 3-digit numbers on unmarked number lines

I can estimate the position of 3-digit numbers on an unmarked number line.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

Knowing where multiples of 100 are placed on an unmarked number line supports in positioning 3-digit numbers accurately.
Marking halfway steps helps to estimate the positions of numbers.
Counting in steps of 1, 10 and 100 helps us to position a number on a number line.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle with positioning numbers on 0-1,000 lines.

Relate the positioning of numbers on 0-100 number lines with 0-1,000 number lines (e.g. 19 and 190, 37 and 370).

Keywords

Estimate - Estimate means finding a value that is close to the answer.
Position - Position means where something is located.
Unmarked - Unmarked means that many of the steps on a number line are not given.

Encourage pupils to find the halfway points on unmarked number lines, using the start and end numbers. For example, on a 200-400 number line, mark the steps that show 300, then find 250 and 350.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).