I'm not exactly sure how to answer your question but i'll do my best. It is basically adding two numbers. If you have the problem 2+3 you will get five, so you count 5 spaces from zero on the number line. There is no such thing as adding two whole numbers and getting a mixed number on a number line. You have to add a mixed number+ a fraction to get a mixed number, and in some cases add a mixed number+ a mixed number to get a mixed number.