Use Number Lines
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What you will learn
- 1Locate and label whole numbers on a number line up to 1,000
- 2Use a number line to model addition and subtraction by counting forward and backward
- 3Determine the missing value when hopping a given number of steps on a number line
Mini Lesson
A number line is a straight line with numbers placed at equal intervals. It helps us see numbers, understand their order, and model addition and subtraction. Hopping forward (to the right) means adding; hopping backward (to the left) means subtracting.
Adding on a Number Line
- Find your starting number on the line.
- Hop forward (right) the number of steps you are adding.
- Each hop equals the size of the step. For example, one hop of 10 moves you 10 places right.
- Where you land is the sum: 30 + 20 = 50 (start at 30, hop +10 twice).
Subtracting on a Number Line
- Find your starting number on the line.
- Hop backward (left) the number of steps you are subtracting.
- Where you land is the difference: 80 - 30 = 50 (start at 80, hop -10 three times).
- Subtracting moves you to a smaller number — toward zero.
Words to know
Number line
A line with numbers placed in order at equal spaces
e.g. Find 12 on the number line.
Tick mark
A small line on a number line that marks each number
e.g. Each tick mark stands for 1.
Interval
The space between two tick marks on a number line
e.g. On this line, the interval is 5.
Hop
A jump from one number to another on a number line
e.g. Take 3 hops to the right to add 3.
Add
To put numbers together to find the total
e.g. I add 4 + 3 by hopping right 3 times.
Subtract
To take one number away from another
e.g. Subtract 2 by hopping left 2 times.
Hopping right = adding. Hopping left = subtracting. Count the hops, not the tick marks.
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