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Number Line

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What is a Number Line?

The world of numbers, which is mathematics, has too many things to know about, and it has no end. Mathematics is observed as a demonstrative discipline that began back in the 6th century BC with the Pythagoreans. There are many parts of mathematics we all have to go through when we are in school. The number theory has a vital part that is the number line. We will talk in detail about what is the number line and maths number line display?


Everybody in their daily life needs numbers, and that is what mathematics introduced us with. From the first few things a child learns in school is numbers, which is vital for the entire life. They begin with counting, then addition, subtraction followed by arithmetic operations. Sometimes teaching is a test, and for many new learners, it is difficult. So, can numbers be represented with images? Well, yes with the use of number lines. Now, what is a number line? Arithmetic operations of numbers can also be represented on a number line. Let us know in detail maths number line display in this article.

Introduction to the Number Line

The number line is a straight line with a real number, and the real numbers are denoted by ‘R.’ There are points that correspond to the real numbers. There can be a number line of integers, and they are often represented by unique marketed points that are evenly spaced on the line. 


The picture below includes integrals from -9 to 9. The line also shows real numbers that will continue forever in a single direction, and the numbers are marked between integers. With a straight line, one can teach addition and subtraction especially using negative numbers. A straight line represents the whole number, real number, and natural number. Whole numbers include counting numbers from zero to infinite, and natural numbers count numbers which are zero. 


You must have a question that, what is a number line example? Here is a number line example for you and you can also call it maths number line display;


This number line shows how numbers are being distributed on a number line. 


Numbers on a Number Line

To understand number line definitions you need to understand numbers on a number line. Numbers can be best explained with the help of the math number line. Likewise, arithmetic operation on a number line can be better defined. 


To use a number line, one must know about locating numbers on a number line. For a proper number line, zero is there in the middle of the line, and positive real numbers on the right side of the zero in the center. The negative numbers will be on the left side from the zero in the center of the number line. The number line value decreases as we move towards the left. For example, 2 are greater than -3. In number line fractions, integers, decimals can also be represented.

Addition and Subtraction on The Number Line

The simple function behind addition and subtraction is that it starts from the first number. You will have to locate the first number on the number line. The number on the number line tells us two things. 


The first number will tell us where to begin, and the second number will tell the movement of the direction on the number line. In addition, there are two ways to calculate on the number line. If you have a positive number, move from the right side. If it’s a negative number, then move from left to right on the number line.

Adding On A Number Line

Positive Numbers


There are positive numbers on the right side of the number line, so when you add two positive numbers, the result will always be positive, and the movement will be towards the right side of the number line. 


Number line example

For example addition of 2 and 3(2+3) = 5


Here you have to locate the first number 2 on the number line instead of locating second number 3 on the number line and then moving 3 places right to get 5. 

Negative Numbers

On the left side, there are negative numbers on the number line, and when you add two negative numbers, the result will always be negative. You will move forward towards the left.  


Number line example

For example addition of -3 and -4, the result will be -7


Locate the first number -3 on the left side and locate the second number -4 and then move 3 places forward to left to get the result -7

Subtraction on The Number line

Positive Number

When two positive numbers are subtracted, the result can be either positive or negative. The result is more toward the left side, and the movement will be in the left direction too.


Negative Number

When two negative numbers are subtracted, the result will always be a positive number towards the right side, and the movement will be in the right direction.

How to represent root 6 on the number line?


√6 = 2.44


To represent that on the number line show the point 2.44


Line up the x-axis after that plot point 2.44. It will come in between 2 and 3 on the x-axis.


FAQs on Number Line

1. What are the dots on the number line called?

There are points on the number line, which is called the coordinated, and zero is in the center point of the number line, which is called the origin. Movement from the source to the left is the decreasing order or the negative numbers, and movement from the origin in the right direction is the increasing order. The dots on the number line are called points and zero is the most important point because it is the origin point.

2. Which is the bigger number on the number line?

Movement and direction on the number line are significant. The more you move forward on the right side of the number line, the greater will be the value. Moving towards the left side of the number line from the origin, the value starts decreasing. Both sides will continue to be infinite with positive and negative numbers from the center of the origin, which is zero.

Solved Example

Which number on the number line is 5 greater than 3?

In order to find this, we need to start from 3 and move 5 places towards the right. The answer that you will get would be 8. 

Solution with maths number line display