The number line is an important invention in the education of mathematics. They help us visually diagram math systems and the concept of absolute value. An English mathematician by the name of John Wallis realized that it was the perfect tool to display values that were less than zero. This brought to light the concept of negative numbers. When you are using a number line with students for the first time it is important to help them understand that since this is a line and not a line segment it continues infinitely in both directions. As you progress into theoretical math and science the number line is helpful to display theoretical and imaginary numbers. Number lines are graduated straight lines that serve as a visual of the progression of real numbers. The scale is usually centered around the value of zero. To the left of this zero point are negative values and to the right of that point are positive values. Students need to remember that these are lines and they extend infinitely in each direction.

These worksheets explain how to fill out the missing information on simple number lines. Many pages offer basic templates for use with other sets by the instructor. As you scroll down the page you find the activity sheets that ask students to plot point and make their own hash marks. The upper pages are templates for you to use in your classroom with students. These are quick and easy to get them working on your classroom activities.