Results for number line
On this page:
 
Dictionary:

number line


n.

A line that graphically expresses the real numbers as a series of points distributed about a point arbitrarily designated as zero and in which the magnitude of each number is represented by the distance of the corresponding point from zero.


 
 
Wikipedia: number line

A number line, invented by John Wallis, is a one-dimensional picture in which the integers are shown as specially-marked points evenly spaced on a line. Although this image only shows the integers from -9 to 9, the line includes all real numbers, continuing "forever" in each direction. It is often used as an aid in teaching simple addition, subtraction, especially involving negative numbers.

The number line

It is divided into two symmetric halves by the origin, i.e. the number zero.

Drawing the number line

The number line is most often represented as being horizontal. Customarily, positive numbers lie on the right side of zero, and negative numbers lie on the left side of zero. An arrow on either end of the drawing is meant to suggest that the line continues indefinitely in the positive and negative directions, even though ones paper, chalkboard, or screen does not.

The set of all numbers on the number line is otherwise known as the set of the reals, denoted by R. The real numbers consist of irrational and rational numbers, as well as integers, whole numbers, and the natural numbers (the counting numbers).

A line drawn through the origin at right angles to the real number line can be used to represent the imaginary numbers. This extends the number line to a number plane, with points on the plane representing complex numbers.

See also


 
 

Join the WikiAnswers Q&A community. Post a question or answer questions about "number line" at WikiAnswers.

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Number line" Read more

Search for answers directly from your browser with the FREE Answers.com Toolbar!  
Click here to download now. 

Get Answers your way! Check out all our free tools and products.

On this page:   E-mail   print Print  Link  

 

Keep Reading

Mentioned In: