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Numbers on a number line

CONCEPTUAL
MathematicsNumber Representation & Place Value|Ages 11—12|ID: mt_RWUY7_IXvw

Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from zero on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude in real-world contexts; distinguish absolute value comparisons from ordering statements

Mastery Evidence

  • Define absolute value as distance from zero on a number line
  • Calculate the absolute value of positive and negative rational numbers
  • Distinguish between comparing absolute values and comparing signed numbers in real-world contexts

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] tell you that the absolute value of −7 is 7 — because it's 7 steps from zero on a number line regardless of direction — and use this idea to compare distances?”

Curriculum Standards2 alignments

6.NS.7cCommon Core State Standards for Mathematics
Understand Absolute Value

Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from 0 on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude for a positive or negative quantity in a real-world situation. For example, for an account balance of –30 dollars, write |–30| = 30 to describe the size of the debt in dollars.

NS
6.NS.7dCommon Core State Standards for Mathematics
Distinguish Comparisons of Absolute Value

Distinguish comparisons of absolute value from statements about order. For example, recognize that an account balance less than –30 dollars represents a debt greater than 30 dollars.

NS

Prerequisites1

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Positive and Negative Numbers hard

    Absolute value requires understanding negative numbers on a number line

    • Measuring temperature hard

      Negative number arithmetic extends Y6 using negative numbers in context

      • Negative numbers in context hard

        Calculating intervals across zero extends Y5 negative number context

        • Negative Numbers hard

          Counting through zero is prerequisite to interpreting negative numbers in context

          • Counting Within 1,000 hard

            Counting backwards through zero extends counting backwards within 1000

            • Counting in 2s hard

              Counting to 1000 by 5s/10s/100s extends skip counting from Year 2

            • The multiples of 100 soft

              Understanding multiples of 100 supports skip counting by 100s

              • A Hundred Is Ten Tens hard

                Multiples of 100 require understanding 100 as a unit

                • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

                  100 as ten tens extends understanding of 10 as ten ones

                  • The teen numbers hard

                    Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

                    • How Many in Total? hard

                      Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                      • One-to-one counting hard

                        Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                    • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                      Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                      • How Many in Total? hard

                        Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                      • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                        Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

                • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

                  Must understand two-digit place value before extending to hundreds

                  • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

                    Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

                    • The teen numbers hard

                      Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

                  • The teen numbers hard

                    General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

                    • How Many in Total? hard

                      Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                      • One-to-one counting hard

                        Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                    • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                      Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                      • How Many in Total? hard

                        Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                      • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                        Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

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