What Is The Purpose Of The Number Line Template

What is a number line?

A number line is a directly horizontal line with numbers placed at even intervals that provides a visual representation of numbers. Primary operations such equally addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tin can all be performed on a number line. The numbers increase as nosotros move towards the correct side of a number line while they decrease as nosotros move left.

Scan beneath our Number Line generators which are bachelor to print or use online. Perfect for the classroom or homeschooling environs.

Parts of a Number Line

A number line consists of a ray on which the numbers are plotted in an increasing order from left to right. A number line can be divided into 3 parts –

Negative Numbers – The negative numbers are plotted to the left of the point 0 or the origin.
Origin – The number zero ( 0 ) is considered as the origin of the number line and is usually plotted at its centre.
Positive Numbers – The positive numbers are plotted to the right of the bespeak 0 or the origin.

How to read a Number Line?

Consider the number line below –

Above is a visual representation of a standard number line. As is clearly visible, as we movement from left to right, at that place is an increase in the value of numbers while it decreases when nosotros move from right to left.

Why does a Number Line Do?

What is the purpose of a number in understanding numbers in mathematics?

A number line helps you visualize which a greater number among ii or more numbers is. The farther a number is on the right, the greater information technology is.
A number can line tin can be useful for understanding the comparison as well as the ordering of numbers.
A number line demonstrates the improver, subtraction, multiplication as well as partition of numbers, be information technology integers, fractions or decimals.

How are Number Lines Useful?

Number Lines are not just an initial representation of numbers on a line. They serve a purpose for the very basic understanding of the concept of numbers and how they movement upwards or downwards in the counting tables. Here are some areas where number lines have been found to be extremely useful –

Representation on a Number Line

Above is a visual representation of a standard number line. As is clearly visible, as nosotros move from left to right, there is an increase in the value of numbers while information technology decreases when we motility from right to left.

Examples

1. On which number is the brawl sitting on?

Reply: Count the points from 0 and y'all volition notice that the brawl is sitting on number 3.

2. Suppose the brawl in the example above moves 5 points towards its left side. Which number it would exist sitting on now?

Answer: Brand the ball jump v points towards its left and you would notice that information technology lands on the number -2.

Tin can Number Lines be placed only in a horizontal manner?

When nosotros recall of a number line, we almost ever think of numbers placed on a horizontal line. Only, is information technology possible to place the numbers in a vertical mode? Yes, it certainly is possible. It is non that yous always need to plot numbers on a number line in a horizontal mode. They can be placed vertically as well. For instance, here is one of the vertical number lines that we take for you –

Not just this, you get the choice of choosing the intervals between the numbers too while creating a vertical number line.

Finding out the greater number amidst 2 or more numbers

A number line helps you lot visualize which is a greater number among 2 or more than numbers. The further a number is on the correct, the greater information technology is.

For case, let us consider the post-obit numbers: -2, 8 and 3

Plot these numbers on a number line.

Out of the three given numbers, -2 is on the farthest left while 8 is on the uttermost right placing 3 betwixt these numbers.

Hence the increasing orders of the numbers -2, 8 and three is

-2 < three < 8

Operations on a Number Line

The 4 bones operations- improver, subtraction, multiplication, and division are the fundamentals of mathematics. The number line is ane of the methods that let visually understanding of these operations.

Addition on a Number Line

We move to the correct on our number line for adding two numbers. The post-obit case shall assistance yous sympathize how to add two numbers to a number line.

For example, you want to add iii + two

Steps involved:

1. First draw a number line having both negative also equally positive numbers.

two. Mark the first number 3 on this number line.

iii. Move 2 points right as we take to add the numbers.

iv. The number we have our point on is our respond, i.e. 5

Hence 3 + ii = v

Subtraction on a Number Line

Subtraction on a number line is similar to what nosotros do in addition with the only difference being that instead of moving right on the number line, we move left. This tin can be better understood through the visual delineation of subtraction in the example beneath –

Suppose we want to obtain the value of iii – 2

Nosotros proceed in the same manner we did for addition.

Steps Involved :

1. Outset draw a number line having both negative every bit well every bit positive numbers.

2. Mark the first number three on this number line.

3. Move two points left as nosotros have to add the numbers. (Observe the change- we movement left and non right every bit we did in addition)

4. The number we have our signal on is our reply, i.e. ane

Hence 3 – 2 = ane

Multiplication on a Number Line

Multiplication is nothing but repeated addition. We movement towards the right side of the number line for a given number of times in order to multiply two numbers.

For example, we want to obtain the value of 2 x three

Steps Involved:

In order to multiply 2 past 3, nosotros starting time marker 2 on the number line.
So nosotros jump two points each from two iii times. The number we land on is our respond, i.due east. 6

Hence two x 3 = half dozen

Division on a Number Line

Partition on a number line is similar to what we do in multiplication with the merely difference being that instead of moving right on the number line, we move left. This can exist better understood through the visual depiction of subtraction in the example below.

For example, we want to obtain the value of 12 ÷ 3

Steps Involved:

Start we mark the number 12 on the number line.
Then we divide the numbers from 0 to 12 into 3 equal groups which gives us the answer 4. Hence 12 ÷ 3 = 4

The above example can be visualized on a number every bit highlighted below:

Importance of Number Lines

Numbers lines are mostly overlooked and taught as introductory topics for mathematical operations only. Notwithstanding, they form the nuts of agreement these very operations that are the backbone of mathematics. Number lines are an of import concept as

They assist you visualize the mathematical operations, particularly when dealing with negative numbers that make yous understand the operations in a better manner.
Also, they promote good mental arithmetic strategies.

Have yous ever noticed the readings of a clinical thermometer? It is based on the concept of number lines. The temperature increases as you motility right and decreases every bit you movement left. There are many other examples where number lines are used in real-life situations such equally a ruler that we use in everyday life. Observe out more near such objects in your house/school and other areas and y'all will be surprised at the large-scale usage of these number lines.