CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7a
The Standard
Interpret statements of inequality as statements about the relative position of two numbers on a number line diagram.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare two rational numbers by locating them on a left-to-right number line. They connect farther right with greater and farther left with less.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly plot positive and negative rational numbers and compare their positions. They write the matching inequality and explain which number lies farther right.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think a number with a larger absolute value is always greater, so they claim that -8 is greater than -3. They may also reverse the inequality symbol or read the number line from right to left.
How to Assess It
- Give students the numbers -4 and 1 on a blank number line. Ask them to plot both, write an inequality, and explain the comparison using left and right.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Tape a number line on the floor, give students rational number cards, and have them stand in order before writing comparison statements.
Ask students to explain in writing why -2 is greater than -6, using the words left, right, greater, and less.
Play a card game where partners draw rational numbers, place them on a number line, and keep both cards after writing a correct inequality.
Compare morning temperatures from five cities, place them on a number line, and write inequalities showing which cities were warmer.
Free download
Printable 6.NS.C.7a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6c
Interpreting inequalities requires knowing where rational numbers lie on a number line and comparing their left-right positions.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.6
Interpreting inequalities by left and right position requires seeing positive and negative rational numbers as points on the number line.
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.NBT.A.2
Reading >, =, and < comparisons carries over to interpreting which number lies farther right or left on a number line.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.8
Interpreting inequality signs on a number line supports writing simple inequalities and graphing their solution sets.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7d
Number line inequality meanings support seeing why farther from zero can differ from being greater or less.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.NS.C.7b
Number line positions give students the left-right meaning of inequalities needed to order rational numbers in contexts.
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.B.5
Understanding inequality symbols as number order helps students judge whether substituted values make an inequality statement true.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.