Question

Represent the following numbers on the number line 7, 7.2, $\frac{-3}{2}$ and $-\frac{12}{5}$.
[2 marks]

Answer 1

Firstly, we draw a number line whose mid-point is 0. Then we mark positive numbers on the right-hand side of 0 and the negative number on the left-hand side of 0.

(i) Number 7 is a positive number. So, we mark a number 7 on the right-hand side of 0, which is at a 7 units distance from zero.
[0.5 mark]

(ii) Number 7.2 is a positive number. So, we mark a number 7.2 on the right-hand side of 0 which is 7.2 units distance from zero. Or we can convert 7.2 into rational number which is $\frac{72}{10}$ or $\frac{36}{5}$ or 7$\frac{1}{5}$. So, we will make 4 divisions in between 7 and 8 and mark the first point starting from 7. That mark will represent the number 7.2.
[0.5 mark]

(iii) Number $-\frac{3}{2}$ or -1.5 is a negative number. So, we mark a number 1.5 on the left-hand side of 0, which is at 1.5 units distance from zero.Or here the fraction is $-\frac{3}{2}$, coverting into mixed fraction -1$\frac{1}{2}$. So we will mark 1 divisions between -1 and -2 which divides it into two equal parts and this division mark represent the number $-\frac{3}{2}$.
[0.5 mark]

(iv) Number $-\frac{12}{5}$ or -2.4 is a negative number. So we mark a number 2.4 on the left-hand side of 0, which is at 2.4 units distance from zero. Or here the fraction is $-\frac{12}{5}$, coverting into mixed fraction -2$\frac{2}{5}$. So we will mark 4 divisions between -2 and -3 which divides it into five equal parts and second division mark from -2 represent the number $-\frac{12}{5}$.
[0.5 mark]