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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
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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about number line
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