Teach your kid how to graph inequalities on a number line with this totally free practice worksheet (and answer key). Plus get two free graphing inequalities on a number line guides!
One of the benefits of number lines is that they provide a visual representation of the relationship between numbers. For example, they allow your kid to easily see that -10 is smaller than 1. This means putting an inequality on a number can be extremely helpful! (And at some point, your child is probably going to be asked to graph inequalities on a number line.)
Not familiar with inequalities? While number lines weren’t as widely used “back in our day” (haha) as they are now, I bet that at some point, you learned how to graph an inequality on a number line. And while it isn’t just like riding a bike, the concept will probably come back to you pretty quickly! 🙂
Just in case though, an inequality is a statement that compares two values. In comparing the values, the first value can be:
- Greater than.
- Greater than or equal to.
- Less than.
- Less than or equal to.
- Equal to.
- Not equal to.
For example, an inequality may be written as 4 > 2, which reads “4 is greater than 2.” And your child would graph solution of inequality on a number line. If you don’t remember exactly how to graph inequalities on a number line, don’t panic! We’ll begin with two guides that will get you (and your kid) off on the right foot!
Graphing Inequalities on a Number Line: Symbols Guide
Before your child can tackle the graphing inequalities on a number line practice worksheet, he or she needs to understand the symbols involved. This guide can help. It shows inequality symbols, how those would be written out (ex. “Greater than”), and then an example of an inequality on a number line.
How to Graph Inequalities on a Number Line: Closed vs. Open Circles
Another thing your kid will need to understand before he or she can work on the graphing inequalities on a number line worksheet is the nuance between open and closed circles. When you graph solution of inequality on a number line, an open circle means the value is not included. In other words “not equal to.” A closed circle means the value is included; for example if something is “greater than or equal to” it would use a closed circle.
If you and your kid have reviewed the two guides, he or she should now be ready for this graphing inequalities on a number line practice worksheet! Note that this worksheet includes negative as well as positive numbers, so it may be helpful to review negative number lines first.
Inequality on a Number Line Worksheet Answer Key
Use this answer key to check your kid’s work! If you want your child to get even more practice with how to graph an inequality on a number line, you could create your very own worksheets using these free blank number lines (printable PDF downloads).
More Number Line Printables and Worksheets
- 9 Free Printable Number Lines For Kids
- 4 Free Printable Fractions Number Lines (PDF Downloads) + Worksheet
- 3 Free Number Line to 100 Printables (PDF Downloads)
- 8 Free Printable 4th and 5th Grade Decimal Number Lines
- Free Printable Number Line to 20 PDF Downloads + Worksheet
- Free Printable Number Line to 10 Worksheet + 3 Number Line PDF Downloads
- 7 Free Integer Number Line Printables + 3 Adding Integers Number Line (PDF Downloads)
- Negative and Positive Number Line
Kelli Bhattacharjee is the owner of Freebie Finding Mom. When she's not goofing around with her son, she's busy blogging, or just hanging out with the family which usually involves listening to music too loud and having dance parties.