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How Do You Graph an Inequality or an Infinite Set on a Number Line?

Graph the following on a number line:
a) n<4
b) { -3, -2, -1, 0, 1,...}

Summary

  1. 'n' is a variable
  2. Draw a number line labeled left to right from -2 to 5
  3. n is less than 4 puts an open circle at 4, and an arrow pointing left on the number line
  4. Numbers in our set can be represented by closed circles on the number line
  5. There is a closed circle at -3, -2, -1, 0, and 1
  6. The three dots say that our set continues on beyond 1, so numbers like 2, 3, 4, and 5 are also in our set

Notes

    1. 'n' is a variable
    2. 'n' is less than 4 is an inequality
    1. A number line is just a line with two arrows on each end, and tick marks to show spacing
    1. There are eight tick marks, so the numbers should be:
    2. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    1. A number line is just a line with two arrows on each end, and tick marks to show spacing
    1. 'n' is less than 4 means that there should be a circle at 4
    1. The inequality symbol in our problem is a 'less than' symbol
    1. If the symbol is less than, or greater than, then the circle is open
    2. If the symbol is less than or equal to, or greater than or equal to, then the circle is closed
    1. If the symbol is less than, or greater than, then the circle is open
    2. We have a less than symbol, so the circle is open
    1. 'n' is less than 4 means that there should be a circle at 4
    2. We have a less than symbol, so the circle is open
    1. A number line is just a line with two arrows on each end, and tick marks to show spacing
    1. Remember, '<' just means less than
    1. 'n' is less than 4 just means that 'n' can be anything less than 4
    2. An arrow pointing to the left symbolizes that 'n' can be anything less than 4
    1. n is less than 4 puts an open circle at 4, and an arrow pointing left on the number line
    2. -∞ stands for negative infinity on the number line
    1. A number line is just a line with two arrows on each end, and tick marks to show spacing
    1. A number line is just a line with two arrows on each end, and tick marks to show spacing
    1. There are eight tick marks, so the numbers should be:
    2. -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2
    1. The three dots tell us that our set doesn't stop at 1, but goes on to include 2, 3, 4, and so on
    1. A closed circle is used to graph a number that is included in our set
    1. A closed circle is used to graph a number that is included in our set
    1. A closed circle is used to graph a number that is included in our set
    1. The three dots tell us that our set doesn't stop at 1, but goes on to include 2, 3, 4, and so on
    1. The three dots tell us that our set doesn't stop at 1, but goes on to include 2, 3, 4, and so on
    2. ∞ stands for positive infinity on the number line
    1. The three dots tell us that our set doesn't stop at 1, but goes on to include 2, 3, 4, and so on