Question

Find the value of the following subtractions using the number line: \[15 - 14\].

Answer 1

Hint: A number line is a horizontally placed graphical representation of numbers with equal intervals. To subtract \[a - b\] using a number line, where \[a,b \geqslant 0\], we first have to draw a number line representing the numbers \[0\] to \[a\]. After that, we will jump \[b\] units to the left from point \[a\] on the same number line. Now, it will be clearly visible on the number line that the difference units will be the required result.

Complete step-by-step solution:
As, in the given question, \[a,b \geqslant 0\], then,
At first, we will draw the number line from \[0\] to \[a\], which implies the number line must be drawn to represent the numbers from \[0\] to \[15\].

Now, we will jump \[b\] units to the left from point \[a\]and draw a number line representing the same

Now, we are left with the difference units on the number line. And it will be shown as:

Hence, we are left with the \[1\] unit only on the number line. So \[1\] is the required answer.
Hence the final answer: The difference required is\[15 - 14 = 1\].

Note: There is a unique real number corresponding to every point on the number line. Also, corresponding to every real number, there is a unique point on the number line.
On the right-hand side of the number line numbers will always be greater than the numbers on its left-hand side. We can use number line for various calculations like addition (by moving on the right-hand side), subtraction (by moving on the left-hand side) and multiplication (by skipping the counts).