lesson
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If you take 4 steps forward and then 6 steps backward, you end up 2 steps behind where you started.
A number line turns this motion into math by representing numbers as directed paths.
The Number Line Rules
Every addition problem begins at the starting line: zero.
A positive integer is an arrow pointing to the right, while a negative integer is an arrow pointing to the left.
📊Create an interactive visual showing a horizontal number line from -6 to +6 with 0 centered. Above the number line, show two labeled directional guides: a blue arrow pointing right labeled '+ Positive: Move Right' and an orange arrow pointing left labeled '- Negative: Move Left'. Clean, modern minimalist styling with rounded cards, dark blue text (#1e2945), and light background.
What happens when our two arrows point in opposite directions?
Adding Positive and Negative Integers
To model 3+(−5), we start at 0 and draw our first arrow 3 units to the right.
From that landing spot at 3, we draw our second arrow 5 units to the left, landing at −2.
📊Create an animated number line from -5 to +5 illustrating 3 + (-5) = -2. Step 1: Draw a blue arrow from 0 to +3 above the line labeled '+3'. Step 2: From +3, draw an orange arrow pointing left by 5 units, ending at -2, labeled '-5'. Step 3: Highlight the landing point at -2 with a solid purple dot and a label 'Result: -2'. Include the equation '3 + (-5) = -2' clearly at the top.
Because the leftward arrow of length 5 was longer than the rightward arrow of length 3, our final answer ended in the negatives.
What if both numbers are pushing in the negative direction?