Number Line Math Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium
On a number line, point A is at −3-3 and point B is at 55. Find the midpoint and the distance between them.

Solution

  1. 1
    Step 1: Find the distance using absolute difference: d=∣B−A∣=∣5−(−3)∣=∣8∣=8d = |B - A| = |5 - (-3)| = |8| = 8.
  2. 2
    Step 2: Find the midpoint using the average: M=A+B2=−3+52=22=1M = \frac{A + B}{2} = \frac{-3 + 5}{2} = \frac{2}{2} = 1.
  3. 3
    Step 3: Verify: the midpoint 11 is 44 units from −3-3 and 44 units from 55, confirming it is exactly halfway.

Answer

Distance =8= 8; Midpoint =1= 1
The distance between two points on a number line is always the absolute value of their difference, ensuring a non-negative result regardless of order. The midpoint is their average — it splits the segment into two equal halves. These ideas extend naturally to coordinate geometry in two dimensions.

About Number Line

A straight line where each point represents a number, with equal spacing giving a visual model of all real numbers. The number line extends infinitely in both directions, with negative numbers to the left of zero and positive numbers to the right, providing a geometric representation of order and distance.

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More Number Line Examples

Example 1 easy

Plot and label the following on a number line: [formula], [formula], [formula], [formula], [formula]

Example 2 medium

Find all integers within distance [formula] of [formula] on the number line.

Example 4 easy

On a number line, point [formula] is at [formula] and point [formula] is at [formula]. Find the midp

Example 5 medium

A frog starts at [formula] on a number line. It jumps [formula], then [formula], then [formula], the

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