Number line — Grade 6 Math, what it means and where it is taught
A line with numbers increasing to the right.
Taught in Grade 6 Math.
Where it is taught
What uses it later
This idea is needed for:
- Dot plot — A chart with one dot per value, stacked above a number line.
Practise this idea
6 questions in the course bank use Number line, in Solving Inequalities, Definitions, Postulates & Reasoning, Integers & Absolute Value, Statistical Questions & Distributions.
Problem 1
On a number line, which dot do you use for x > 5?
- A closed (filled) dot
- An open (hollow) dot
Worked answer
An open (hollow) dot
x > 5 does not include 5 itself, so the dot is open.
Problem 2
M is the midpoint of AB. A is at -4 and M is at 3 on a number line. Where is B?
Worked answer
10
M - A = 3 - (-4) = 7
B = 3 + 7 = 10
Problem 3
Which is smaller, -8 or -3?
- -8
- -3
- They are equal
- Cannot tell
Worked answer
-8
-8 sits further left on the number line
Problem 4
Put -4, 2, -7, 0 in order, smallest first, separated by commas.
Worked answer
-7,-4,0,2
Left to right: -7, -4, 0, 2
Problem 5
Which statement is true?
- -5 < -2
- -5 > -2
- |-5| < |-2|
- -5 = 5
Worked answer
-5 < -2
-5 is further left, so smaller
But |-5| = 5 is the larger distance
Problem 6
Histogram bars touch each other because
- the intervals run into each other
- they are easier to draw
- it looks neater
- the bars are equal
Worked answer
the intervals run into each other
A number line, not separate categories