Definitions/Error 7_ Unit of 1 and Subunits.md

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title: 'Error 7: Unit of 1 and Subunits'

Error 7: Unit of 1 and Subunits

Definition

When representing a fraction a/b on a 0–N number line (N > 1), a correct solution is to divide the 0–N number line into N equal intervals to identify units of 1, and then divide the unit of 1 into b equal sub-units to represent the fraction unit of 1/b, and finally to identify the a-th sub-unit of 1/b to locate a/b.

Correct Example

On a 0–4 number line, to identify 1/4, a student should divide the 0–4 number line into four equal units to represent 1s, then divide the 0–1 number line segment into four equal parts, and find 1/4.

Mistake Example

On a 0–4 number line, a student divides the 0–4 number line into four intervals and labels the first interval tick as 1/4.