Number Line Addition & Subtraction — Answer Key
Part A: Trace the Words
Trace each word carefully by following the dotted lines.
1. pencil
2. left
3. begin
4. point
5. start
6. right
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. For 5 + 3, put your pencil on 5 first.
The first number in an addition fact is always your starting spot on the number line.
2. For 9 - 2, start at 9 on the number line.
In subtraction you start with the whole amount, then jump backward.
3. To add, your jumps go to the right.
Moving right on a number line always makes the number larger, which is adding.
4. To subtract, your jumps go to the left.
Moving left on a number line makes the number smaller, which matches subtracting.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. For 9 - 2, you jump 2 spaces to the right.
True False
Subtracting means jumping left, so 9 - 2 jumps 2 spaces left to land on 7.
2. For 6 + 4, you start your pencil on the 6.
True False
In 6 + 4 the starting number is 6, so your pencil begins on 6 before jumping.
3. Right-hand jumps make a number smaller.
True False
Jumping right always grows the number, so right-hand jumps are adding, not subtracting.