number line

noun

: a line of infinite extent whose points correspond to the real numbers according to their distance in a positive or negative direction from a point arbitrarily taken as zero

Examples of number line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web No longer a placeholder, the digit acquired a value and found its place on the number line, before 1. Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 For example, the set {2, 4, 8, 16, …}, in which each number doubles the one before it, is so spread out along the number line that it’s said to make up 0 percent of the whole numbers. Leila Sloman, WIRED, 1 Sep. 2024 Predicting exactly where the next prime will show up on the number line is challenging, but describing the cumulative abundance of primes over large intervals is surprisingly straightforward. Byzack Savitsky, science.org, 29 July 2024 The new proof automatically leads to better approximations of how many primes exist in short intervals on the number line, and stands to offer many other insights into how primes behave. Jordana Cepelewicz, WIRED, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for number line 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'number line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of number line was in 1956

Dictionary Entries Near number line

Cite this Entry

“Number line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/number%20line. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

number line

noun
: a line without ends whose points are matched to the real numbers by their distance from a given point labeled zero

More from Merriam-Webster on number line

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!