The Number Line

The Number Line

A number line is just that - a straight, horizontal line with numbers placed at even increments along the length. It is not a ruler, so the space between each number doesn’t matter, but the numbers included on the line determine how it is meant to be used.

Number lines can be used throughout a child’s time at primary school. In Reception they are used for ordering numbers. In Key Stage 1 they are used for demonstrating addition and subtraction, counting on in 2s, 5s and 10s. In Key Stage 2 they are used to work out times table questions, to help with division, to understand negative numbers, fractions and decimals.