Final answer:
To create the number line with the specified points, draw a horizontal line, choose an origin, decide on the scale, plot point '1' to the right, '3.25' further right, '-2' to the left, and '-4 1/2' further to the left, making sure to maintain consistent direction with right as positive and left as negative.
Step-by-step explanation:
To create a number line with the points 1, 3.25, the opposite of 2 (which is -2), and -4 1/2, start by drawing a horizontal line. Then, choose a point on the line to be the origin; this is usually placed at the center of the line for convenience. However, the origin can be placed anywhere as it serves as the reference point for all other points.
Next, decide on a scale for the unit intervals on the number line. After establishing the scale, plot the point '1' by moving one unit to the right of the origin. Now, for the point '3.25', move further to the right by an additional 2.25 units from point '1'. The point '-2', being the opposite of 2, will be located two units to the left of the origin. Lastly, to place '-4 1/2' or '-4.5', move 4.5 units to the left side from the origin. Use tick marks to indicate the position of each point on the line and label them accordingly.
It is important to be consistent with the direction: typically, the right side of the origin is considered positive and the left side is considered negative. Therefore, positive numbers like '1' and '3.25' will be to the right, while negative numbers like '-2' and '-4 1/2' will be to the left of the origin.