Answer to Question #667 in Algebra for James Hall

Question

Describe what the graph of interval [-4,10] looks like. How would this differ from the graph of (-4,10)?

Answer 1

The interval [-4,10] means the numbers between -4 and 10 in the number line including -4 and 10.
The graph would be a dark line in the number line from -4 to 10 including -4 and 10.
Since the graph must include -4 and 10 you should clearly indicate that in the graph. For example, if you are using a small circle (o) to mark the numbers in the number line, you should put (o) over -4 and 10 and then colour the circles and the line from -4 to 10.

(-4,10) means the numbers between -4 and 10 in the number line excluding -4 and 10.
The graph would be a dark line in the number line from -4 to 10 excluding -4 and 10.
Since the graph must exclude -4 and 10 you should clearly indicate that in the graph. For example, if you are using a small circle (o) to mark the numbers in the number line, you should put (o) over -4 and 10 and then colour only the line from -4 to 10 (without colouring the circles).