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Using and Drawing Number Lines

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Basics on the topic Using and Drawing Number Lines

Number Line Diagrams – Definition

What is a Number Line Diagram? Let’s learn more about number lines and how to draw one with the following explanation. There are two types of number lines: closed number lines and open number lines. Both types are usually shown horizontally.

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Closed Number Line Diagrams

Closed number lines are straight lines that show a set of numbers at equally spaced points called intervals. Arrows go on either end of the line to represent all the other numbers that we cannot see. Closed number lines can help us count, order, or find missing numbers. This is what is a closed number line used for.

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Open Number Line Diagrams

Open number lines are also straight lines that show numbers, but they start off blank and we fill in the numbers at the needed spaces, or intervals.The intervals can be made by small, medium or large jumps of one, five, ten, or one hundred. This is how an open number line works. ​​Open number lines help us when we are trying to solve problems by counting forward or backward with large numbers.

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Reading Number Line Diagrams

On both numbers lines, numbers get larger when we move to the right or forward. Clue words like addition, plus, more, count on, or sum give us hints to move to the right. On both numbers lines, numbers get smaller when you move to the left or backward. Clue words like subtraction, minus, less, count back, or difference give us hints to move to the left.

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Drawing a Closed Number Line Diagram

First, draw a straight line with arrows on either end.

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Next, make marks at equal spaces along the line. To show the numbers one through ten, make ten marks.

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Then, find the starting number; here it is one. Label that on the left side.

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Finally, label all of the marks by counting up to the final marker; here it is ten.

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Number Line Diagrams – Summary of Steps

To draw a closed number line, follow these steps:

Step # What to do
1 First, draw a straight line
with arrows on either end.
2 Next, make marks at equal
spaces along the line.
3 Then, find the starting number
and label that on the left side.
4 Finally, label all of the marks
by counting up to the final marker.

Have you practiced yet? After watching the video, you can find interactive exercises, worksheets and further activities for number line diagrams.

Transcript Using and Drawing Number Lines

Henry and Skylar are visiting a friend at Yosemite Tower. But, there is a problem! A buffalo moved in and every time he walks down the hall, the apartment numbers fall off the doors! The numbers are all out of order and they can't find their friend! Let's learn about "Ordering Numbers Up toTwenty" to help! When we talk about order, we mean listing things in a certain way. The numbers one through twenty follow a certain list when counting. It goes like this. If you see the numbers in different places, it's called out of order. To help us order numbers up to twenty, we can use a number line as a guide. Let's show Skylar how to use a number line to order apartments one through ten. Five apartment numbers are on the floor. But these apartments still have their numbers on their doors. Let's start by comparing the line of doors to a number line. Start by matching them up. Then, find the first blank door and look at the number line below. The number line says two, so we need to find the number two and put it here. Now, move to the next blank door and check the number line below. The number line below says three, that means the number three will go here. Let's look at the next blank doors and check them with the number line below. The number line shows us that five belongs here, eight belongs here and ten belongs here. Let's put the numbers back in their places! Now that the numbers are all back in order, let's count them to check our work! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Great job, Skylar! Now let's help Henry. These are apartments eleven through twenty. Four apartments have numbers on the floor and five still have numbers on the doors. Let's check with a number line to find where each number belongs. Start by matching them up. Then find the blank doors and look for those places on the number line below. What numbers will we need? We will need eleven, thirteen, sixteen and nineteen! Now we can put the numbers back where they belong and count to make sure the order is correct! Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty! While Henry and Skylar find their friend's apartment, let's review! Today we learned about ordering numbers through twenty by using a number line. First, put a number line below the list with missing numbers. Next, look at the missing spaces and compare them to the number line below. Then, write the correct numbers in their spots. Finally, count the order to check your work! "I'm glad we got everything sorted but this can't keep happening!" "You're right, Henry. I have an idea." "No more stomping down the hall now!"

Using and Drawing Number Lines exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Using and Drawing Number Lines.
  • What are the two types of number lines?

    Hints

    Remember, some number lines have set options, while others are more open.

    This number line is open because it can have whichever numbers we choose.

    Solution

    The two types of number lines are closed number lines, and open number lines. Skylar and Henry say thank you for reminding them!

  • Tell the difference between open and closed number lines.

    Hints

    Open numbers can have small, medium, or large jumps.

    Open number lines start blank.

    Remember, closed number lines already have the numbers filled in.

    Solution

    This is the open number line and the closed number line.

  • Fill in the intervals

    Hints

    Remember, count up to find the missing numbers.

    Solution

    All of the marks are labeled to show a complete closed number line. Now Skylar and Henry can finish fixing the number line!

  • Select the correct number line.

    Hints

    Remember, one number line is meant for adding and subtracting larger numbers, while the other has integers we fill in one by one.

    Which number line would you use to solve 154 + 84? Which number line makes sense to use with large numbers?

    Solution

    Skylar should use an open number line. Open number lines help to solve problems counting forward or backward with large numbers.

  • Highlight the clue words.

    Hints

    Remember, look for words that tell you to move forward, not backward.

    Solution

    Clue words like: addition, plus, more, count on, or sum tell us to move to the right. These words tell us to move forward on the number line.

  • Fill in the closed number line.

    Hints

    Find the starting number, and label that on the left side.

    Solution

    We labeled the starting number on the left side, and counted up to the final marker. The number line goes from 1 to 10.