The Versatile Number Line

One and one is two

Two and two is four

Subtraction and division is less

Addition and multiplication means more.

A fraction is a piece

A decimal fraction is a part

A percentile fraction is not all

So whole numbers is the place to start.

Start with a simple number line

Between each two numbers a space

Starting at the number zero

Up to twelve you may trace.

Twelve is a remarkable number

So much can be done with it

With its factors and facts galore

Make studying twelve a habit.

Six numbers can divide twelve

And nothing will be left over

One, itself, two, three, four and six

What an interesting small number!

Explore it on the number line

And compile its interesting stats

Have fun leaping forward and back

And then memorise these facts.

The number line is an aid

From which we can learn much Math

When we learn to use it properly

It takes us to the top of the class.

Examine the number line

Study its numbers and spaces

Learn mathematics from its source

And watch the smiling faces.

What a versatile teaching aid!

Not only whole numbers does it teach

But if we explore its many spaces

The fractions we will also reach.

  

In each space there are halves

And quarters, fourths and fifths

And in that single space

There is an infinite fraction list.

Not only whole numbers and fractions

You’ll find on the number line

Mixed numbers are also there

You can find them anytime.

With a leap beginning at zero

Reach the space between five and six

Find five and a half and five and a quarter

And many more numbers of that mix.

Besides the unit fractions

Of one-half, one-quarter and one-third

We can create two-thirds and three-quarters

Try it out; don’t just take my word.

And if we magnify one of these spaces

Up to one hundred spaces or so

There are decimal fractions and percent

On the number line there is so much we can know.

On the number line we can add

On the number line we can subtract

On it we can divide and multiply

And calculate multiples and facts.

It can be used to learn algebra

It is used to measure of our shapes

It is the basis for fitting exactly

Take a look at the measuring tape.

It can be seen on a grid

It is clearly shown on a graph

It is crucial to problem solving

In learning mathematics it’s the path.

Yet some consider it ancient

And not relevant for today

But it’s a simple remarkable instrument

If we use it in the proper way.

So adopt the number line

And adapt it to each grade

As you explore its versatility

You’ll find it’s a remarkable teaching aid.

I trust these verses of poetry

Would be an advert at this time

As the alphabet is to language

To mathematics it’s the number line.

Stewart Russell © 2016