What is a number line?

A number line is a line with numbers placed in order at equal intervals. It helps you count, compare, add, subtract and see how numbers relate. Numbers get bigger to the right and smaller to the left, and the same line can show whole numbers, fractions, decimals or negatives.

Examples

• Counting on from 6 by 3 lands on 9.
• The gap between 3 and 8 shows 8 − 3 = 5.
• 1/2 sits exactly halfway between 0 and 1.

Quick facts

• The spaces between marks are always equal.
• Number lines make addition (jump right) and subtraction (jump left) easy to picture.