ACT Math : Number Line

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Number Line

How many integers are there between  and  (not including  or )?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since we are not including  or  in the count, the number of integers is given by the equation:

 

If negative numbers are difficult for you to understand you can think of it this way. Since both values are negative and we are looking for the amount of integers between them we can solve the problem by subtracting 2 from 17 and then another one since we don't want to include the endpoints.

Example Question #1 : Graphing An Inequality With A Number Line

On a real number line, x1 = -4 and x2 = 14. What is the distance between these two points?

Possible Answers:

-18

10

4

18

Correct answer:

18

Explanation:

The distance between two points is always positive. We calculate lx2 - x1l, which will give us the distance between the points.

|14- (-4)| = |14+4| = |18| = 18

Example Question #1 : Graphing An Inequality With A Number Line

Which of the following is a graph for the values of  defined by the inequality stated above?

Possible Answers:

Ineq22

Ineq24

Ineq25

Ineq23

Ineq21

Correct answer:

Ineq21

Explanation:

To begin, you must simplify so that you "isolate" , (i.e. at least eliminate any coefficients from it). To do this, divide all of the members of the inequality by :

Now, this inequality represents all of the numbers between 13 and 32.  However, it does include  (hence, getting a closed circle for that value) and does not include  (hence, getting an open circle for that value). Therefore, it looks like:

Ineq21

Example Question #2 : Graphing An Inequality With A Number Line

Ineq3

Which of the following inequalities is represented by the number line shown above?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the inequality represents one range of values between two end points (both of which are included, given the sign being "less than or equal"), you know that whatever you answer, it must be convertible to the form:

Now, you know that it is impossible to get this out of the choices that have no absolute values involved in them. Therefore, the only options that make sense are the two having absolute values; however, here you should choose only the ones that have a , for only that will yield a range like this. Thus, we can try both of our options.

The wrong answer is simplified in this manner:

And you can stop right here, for you know you will never have  for the left terminus.

The other option is simplified in this manner:

This is just what you need!

Example Question #3 : Graphing An Inequality With A Number Line

Which of the following is a graph for the values of  defined by the inequality stated above?

Possible Answers:

Ineq14

Ineq12

Ineq15

Ineq11

Ineq13

Correct answer:

Ineq11

Explanation:

Begin by solving for :

Now, this is represented by drawing an open circle at 6 and graphing upward to infinity:

Ineq11

Example Question #52 : Integers

On a real number line, what is the midpoint of –4 and 18?

Possible Answers:

14

8

7

4

11

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

The integer halfway between –4 and 18 is 7. The number 7 is 11 greater than –4 and 11 less than 18. Another way to determine this would be to find the average of the two numbers: (–4 + 18)/2 = 14/2 = 7.

Example Question #5 : Number Line

On a number line, what is the distance between –6 and 7?

Possible Answers:

–1

3

13

1

–13

Correct answer:

13

Explanation:

To find distance between two points, take the second and subtract the first.

So 7–(–6) = 7 + 6 = 13 

Example Question #1 : How To Find Value With A Number Line

What is the distance on a number line between  and ?  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The distance between 2 numbers on a number line is the sum of their absolute values.

Example Question #1 : Number Line

Which equation can be used to describe the following number line:

 

Act_math_156_01 

 

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Solve each equation for , plot on number line.

 

 

Example Question #2 : How To Find Value With A Number Line

Which number below is farthest from –3 on a number line?

Possible Answers:

3/2

–8

–1

0

3

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

The answer here relies on knowledge of how numbers are arranged on a number line.  We are looking for the number furthest from –3.  The number furthest from –3 can lie either to the left of –3 which would be negative numbers that are more negative, or further from 0 than –3.  The number furthest from –3 could also lie to its right on the number line, these numbers include all negative numbers between –3 and 0,0, and all positive numbers. The number that satisifes these conditions and is the furthest from –3 on the number line is –8

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