Number line with negative and positive numbers

Number lines are linear representations of numeric values. Any negative integer left of zero is part of the negative number line. Any positive integer right of zero is part of the positive number line. When you move left to right, you are heading in a positive direction. Shifting right to left along the number line indicates a move in the negative direction.

Positive vs. Negative Number Line

Most of the time, the positive numbers you'll see on a number line are natural numbers. A natural number isn't a fraction or decimal. It's simply a whole number that's always on the side of the number line that's right of zero. As soon as you cross over to the negative number line, you’re no longer dealing with natural numbers.

See the number line below. We are subtracting 7 from 5. Since the answer is -2, we've now crossed over to the negative number line, where we do not have natural numbers.

Here is an example where we are only using the negative number line. We have started with -1, moved three spaces to the left, and ended at -4.

The equation for the line above must be written as:

In order to move in a negative direction from a smaller negative number to a larger negative number along the number line, you must use an addition sign. If you use a subtraction sign, the two negatives cancel out. You would then move into in a positive direction:

Why We Use the Number Line

Using the negative number line shows us going left on the line is a move in the negative direction and going right is a move in the positive direction. Writing out the equations of each move allows us to understand how to use a plus sign to indicate decreasing negative values.

Though the number line seems like a basic way of explaining subtraction and addition, it can actually be used in many other ways. You can apply it in real life to measure bank balances and sea levels. Number lines are a useful tool for demonstrating increases and decreases in value.

More Math Homework Help

• How To Find the Length of a Triangle
• How To Round To the Nearest Tenth...or Any Decimal Place
• Finding the Vector Magnitude of a Line Segment

In mathematics, a horizontal straight line with numbers or integers placed at equal segments or intervals along its length is known as the Number Line. It starts from zero, and the numbers increase when you move from zero to the right and decrease from zero to the left. Shifting to right or left indicates the negative or positive directions.

The number line is used for addition and subtraction purposes in mathematics. It has two sides, a Negative Number Line and Positive Number Line. Both sides can be extended infinitely in a horizontal manner. Also, the ends of number lines are indicated by arrows.

Negative Number Line

The left side of a number line is called a negative number line. It increases in number but with a negative sign, and the negative sign means the value of the number or integer is decreasing. The left side of the number lines is used for subtraction and addition purposes mostly.

Numbers on the left side of zero are always smaller than the numbers on the right side.

Example:

To add numbers on the negative number line, you must know how to use addition and subtraction signs. For adding (-1) and (-4), look for -1 number on the negative number lines and move 4 steps in the left direction. The number you will get after moving four steps forward will be the answer.

Positive Number Line

The right side of a number line is called the positive number line. It increases in numbers too, but they all are whole numbers. The right side of the number lines is used for the addition and multiplication of numbers mostly.

Example:

To add (1) and (7) on a number line. Look for number 1 and then move 7 steps forward in the right direction, drawing a line in the horizontal direction. The number you will get after moving seven steps from point 1 will be the answer.

Hence, the answer is 8.

Usage of Number Line

Number lines with negative numbers and positive numbers are used to teach children the basic concepts of addition and subtraction in Mathematics. It is also used for multiplication by skipping count. Solving equations of negative numbers of a number line is tricky as positive or negative signs are used.

Apparently, number lines seem like an essential method of teaching kids the concepts of addition, subtraction, and multiplication, but they can be used in numerous other ways. People use the negative number line and positive number lines to calculate and measure details. These lines show the significant increase and decrease of values.

Brush up on your mathematical skills and attain the highest grades with our experienced math tutors. Take a free trial now.

Find Top Tutors in Your Area

Find A Tutor

What is number line positive and negative?

Which side of a number line is negative?