In basic mathematics, a number line is a picture of a straight line on which every point is assumed to correspond to a real number and every real number to a point. Often the integers are shown as specially-marked points evenly spaced on the line. Although this image only shows the integers from −9 to 9, the line includes all real numbers, continuing forever in each direction, and also numbers not marked that are between the integers. It is often used as an aid in teaching simple addition and subtraction, especially involving negative numbers.
It is divided into two symmetric halves by the origin, i.e. the number zero.
In advanced mathematics, the expressions real number line, or real line are typically used to indicate the above-mentioned concept that every point on a straight line corresponds to a single real number, and vice versa.
Read more about Number Line: Drawing The Number Line
Famous quotes containing the words number and/or line:
“The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)
“Andrews: You married him only because I told you not to.
Ellie: You’ve been telling me what not to do ever since I can remember.
Andrews: That’s because you’ve always been a stubborn idiot.
Ellie: I come from a long line of stubborn idiots.”
—Robert Riskin (1897–1955)