Using a Number Line to Compare Numbers

Khan Academy

This educational video provides a clear, visual demonstration of how to compare whole numbers using a number line. The narrator walks through a digital math problem asking students to identify which numbers are greater than and less than six, explicitly connecting the concept of magnitude to spatial position (left versus right) on the number line. The video explores key themes of number sense, inequality, and spatial reasoning. It establishes the fundamental rule that on a standard number line, values increase as you move to the right and decrease as you move to the left. The narrator reinforces this abstract concept with a concrete real-world analogy involving bananas at the end of the video to ensure conceptual understanding. For classroom application, this video is an excellent tool for introducing or reinforcing comparison vocabulary ("greater than," "less than"). It helps bridge the gap between counting objects and understanding abstract numerical relationships. Teachers can use this to model how to use a number line as a reference tool for checking answers and to support students who struggle with mental math comparisons.