Arithmetic/The Number Line
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Real_Number_Line.svg/364px-Real_Number_Line.svg.png)
The number line is a one-dimensional graph to show the relative positions of numbers. As the line goes left, the numbers have less value; as the line goes right, the numbers have more value. The line continues infinitely (without end) in both directions.
![A number line in intervals of ten](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/TensNumberLine.gif/220px-TensNumberLine.gif)
The number line can be made in different intervals, that is, how many numbers the graph goes up and down by. The top image shows a number line going in intervals of one, while the bottom line graph goes in intervals of ten.
Absolute Value
[edit | edit source]As you can see, the positive and negative numbers are of equal distance from the number zero. The distance of a number from zero is called the absolute value. The absolute value of a number is always positive or zero. This may also be referred to as the magnitude of the number. It is represented by two lines on the left and right of a number. When solving problems with absolute values, always solve the absolute number first. For example: