Tape diagrams explained for parents: how drawing a problem as strips helps with word problems, fractions and ratios, two worked examples and 3 ten-minute ways to help.
The Common Core glossary defines a tape diagram as "a drawing that looks like a segment of tape, used to illustrate number relationships", also known as a strip diagram, bar model, fraction strip or length model.
Children use them from the early grades for addition and subtraction word problems, then for multiplication, fractions and, in 6th grade, ratios (6.RP.A.3 names tape diagrams as one way to reason about ratios).
Fractions: 24 students are in a class and 3/8 of them walk to school. How many walk?
Ratios: the ratio of boys to girls in a club is 2 : 3. There are 30 children. How many are girls?
On the next word problem, your child draws the tape first and marks the ? before doing any calculation.
Fold a strip of paper into 4 equal parts to show 1/4, then into 8. Which fraction is bigger, 3/8 or 1/4?
A drink is 1 part juice to 4 parts water. Draw the tape for a 10-cup jug. How much juice?
Methods and tests vary by state and district; your child's teacher is the best guide to what their class uses. Last checked October 2026.
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