How to Read Fractions on a Ruler
Learn to identify halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths on an inch ruler. Follow the worked examples, then try it yourself.
See It
Study the worked examples below. Each step is shown so you can follow exactly how the problem is solved.
Do It
Now it's your turn. Grab a pencil and paper and try these problems using the method you just studied.
Check It
Done? Reveal the answer key to check your work.
How Do You Read Fractions on a Ruler?
A standard inch ruler is divided into fractional parts — halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths. Each mark on the ruler represents a different fraction of an inch, and the length of the mark tells you which fraction it is. The longest marks are whole inches, the next longest are halves, then quarters, and so on.
To read a measurement, count the number of smallest marks from the last whole inch. If the ruler shows sixteenths, each tiny mark is 1/16 of an inch. Then simplify the fraction — for example, 4/16 simplifies to 1/4.
Reading fractions on a ruler is a practical skill used in building, sewing, cooking, and science. It connects abstract fraction concepts to something you can see and touch, making fractions feel much more concrete.
This Is One Activity From Book 2: Fractions
The full book has 40 activities just like this one — each with worked examples, matching practice problems, and a complete answer key. No tutor needed. No app. Just a pencil and a workbook.
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