Number Lines: Number and Operations [TEKS Tools Grade 6]
- Aaron Daffern
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
This post specifically looks at how number lines can be used to understand place value relationships and solve operational problems. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here.
Number Lines
Number lines account for around 34% of each 6th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many uses: understanding number and operations, equivalent forms, linear relationships, and ratios, rates, and percents.
The main function of a number line is to solve problems involving the four operations, understand linear relationships and proportionality, or as a tool to move between fractions, decimals, and percents. By visualizing these quantities on number lines, students can better make sense of the how the quantities are related.
Absolute Value
Absolute value measures the distance of a number from zero. Using a number line helps students visualize this concept.
6.2B - identify a number, its opposite, and its absolute value
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2023-29: four quantities were given, students had to find the absolute value of each
2024-8: four quantities were given, students had to find the greatest absolute value
2025-18: a quantity was given, students had to find the absolute value
Comparing/Ordering
Number lines are used to compare and order positive and negative integers, fractions, and decimals.
6.2D - order a set of rational numbers arising from mathematical and real-world contexts
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2023-18: five quantities were given, students had to order them from greatest to least
2024-13: five quantities were given, students had to order them from least to greatest
2025-11: a series of inequalities were given, students had to find the missing values
2025-33: five quantities were given, students had to order them from least to greatest
Operations
Integer operations, with the introduction of negatives, are best represented on a number line. This allows students to visualize how each operation moves a number closer to or further from zero.
6.3C - represent integer operations with concrete models and connect the actions with the models to standardized algorithms
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2023-19: a number line and operations were given, students had to represent the action with an expression
6.3D - add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers fluently
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2023-26: a table with integers was given, students had to add the integers and find the value
2025-2: seven integers were given, students had to add them and find the value
6.14C - balance a check register that includes deposits, withdrawals, and transfers
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2025-32: a check register was given, students had to find a missing balance and deposit
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