Meaning & use
number line
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Meaning
nouncountablemathematics
a straight line with numbers marked at equal distances, used to show order and compare values
Grammar: Countable: draw a number line; two number lines.
Patterns
- draw a number line
- on the number line
- a number line from ... to ...
The teacher asked us to draw a number line from 0 to 20 and mark the even numbers.
On a number line, numbers increase as you move to the right.
We used a number line to show that -3 is less than 1.
Word forms
| plural | number lines |
|---|
Common combinations
- on the number line
- Plot the point 4.5 on the number line.
- a number line from 0 to 100
- The children counted using a number line from 0 to 100.
- mark a point on a number line
- Mark the point -2 on the number line.
- extend the number line
- You can extend the number line to the left to include negative numbers.
Word family
- number noun
- A word or symbol like 3 or seven that shows quantity.
Commonly confused: number line or line graph?
number line vs line graph
A line graph shows how data changes over time; a number line just shows numbers in order.
Practice
What is a number line used for?
Choose one answer.
A number line shows numbers at equal intervals so you can compare them. The other options describe different tools or activities.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “number line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.