Number Line

A straight line of numbers is shown visually as a number line. This line is used to compare integers on an endless line that extends on both sides, either horizontally or vertically, at equal intervals. On a horizontal number line, the numbers grow as we walk to the right and decrease as we move to the left.

Number line 

A number line is a visual depiction of numbers on a straight line drawn either horizontally or vertically. It is simple for humans to compare numbers and carry out simple arithmetic operations on them when they are written down on a number line. A number line is thought to begin at zero (0). Left of zero, there are only negative numbers, and right of zero, there are only positive numbers. So, on a number line, we can say that the value of numbers grows as we move to the right. This indicates that there are more numbers on the right than on the left.

How to draw a number line ?

The procedures below are used to draw a number line or plot a number on it.

Step 1 : Draw a horizontal line with arrows at either end in step one. (A vertical number line is another option)

Step 2: Based on the provided number, select a scale. If you need to plot 5, for instance, you may use a scale of 1. Choose a scale of 5, 10, or 25 if you have to plot 50 points. (The factors of the supplied integer determine the suitable scale)

Step 3 : Mark the spots at equal distances in step three. As a result, if you select 1, mark 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth

Step 4 : Find the indicated number. A circle can be  used to emphasize that point

Negative and positive number line

Positive and negative numbers can be found on a number line, as we mentioned previously. A negative number line is formed by the portion of the number line to the left of zero. A positive number line is formed by the area to the right of zero, which is composed entirely of positive numbers. It can be stretched from both ends indefinitely (right and left). Following are a list of a number line’s components and some of its characteristics.

Constituent of number line

To relate to the following characteristics of a number line, pay attention to the parts of a number line presented below.

• In comparison to the numbers on their left, the numbers to the right are larger
• In comparison to the numbers on their right, those on the left are smaller
• The origin, or the midpoint of the number line, is represented by the number 0
• In a number line, the numbers are always spaced at equal intervals

Number line with decimals

Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, rational numbers, and even irrational numbers can all be represented on a number line. Let’s now examine how to represent a number line with decimals. Let’s use the steps listed below to illustrate the number 2.4 on a number line as an example:

Step 1 : Determine the whole number component of the specified decimal in step 1. Here, the whole number component of 2.4 is 2.

Step 2 : Next, mark two points on a number line with an appropriate distance between them. Mark 2 and 3 as shown below on the number line since 2.4 falls between them.

Step 3 : Pay attention to the digit in the tenths position of the supplied number, which comes after the decimal point. The tenth place digit in 2.4 is 4. Mark 2.4 on the fourth bar to the right of 2 and create 10 equal spaces between the numbers 2 and 3.

Uses of number line

Depending on our needs, different numbers can be shown on the number line. Integers between -4 and 3, solely positive numbers, or even fractions between -2 and 2 are some examples of what they can be.

We can use number lines to aid us in practical circumstances. For instance, they may determine how far above or below sea level you are by reading the altitude (height) displayed on a GPS device’s screen.

Conclusion

On a number line, arithmetic operations on numbers can be better understood. To start, one has to understand how to find numbers on a number line. The midpoint of a number line is zero. On the number line, all positive (natural numbers) numbers are on the right side of zero, while all negative numbers are on the left. A number’s value lowers as we turn to the left.