They help students quickly assess the ratio between several quantities.

According to the authors, a diagram is a visual tool used to represent numerical data and the relationships between them compactly. For a 3rd grader, transitioning from simple arithmetic to complex multi-step problems requires a bridge between the text and the solution.

Often called "strip diagrams," these are vital for understanding "part-part-whole" relationships, which are foundational for mastering multiplication and division. Target Sampling Mathematics Grade 3 - Oregon.gov