A number line is examined in stages — first between 3 and 4, then between 3.7 and 3.8, then between 3.76 and 3.77 — in order to locate 3.765. This visualising process is called:

Every real number has a unique location on the number line.

- Rationals: easy to plot. $\frac{3}{4}$ → 3 quarters past 0.
- Irrationals like $\sqrt{2}$ can be plotted geometrically: a right triangle with legs 1 and 1 has hypotenuse $\sqrt{2}$ (Pythagoras). Use a compass to mark off $\sqrt{2}$ on the number line from 0.

You can extend this — $\sqrt{3}$ from a triangle with legs $\sqrt{2}$ and 1, $\sqrt{4}=2,\sqrt{5}$ from legs 2 and 1, etc. (the spiral of Theodorus).