When you weigh yourself, do the numbers go up or down?

[kadioguy]

Why not "number" (in the singular) here?

A friend told me like this:

In this question "When you weigh yourself, do the numbers go up or down?"

Here, "numbers" = "digits" (like, 80kg)

However, "When you weigh yourself, does the number go up or down?" would also work, because 80KG is one number.
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Then in this case, do both (numbers and number) sound equally natural to native speakers?

[Edit: Changed "KG" to "kg".]

 

[Tarheel]

Well, the number starts at zero so the question doesn't makeke much sense (if any). Having said that, I guess you could use either one.

 

[SoothingDave]

It's talking about multiple measurements, is it not? If you weigh yourself every day, or every week, are you gaining weight or losing weight? Are the numbers going up or down?

 

[kadioguy]

It's talking about multiple measurements, is it not? If you weigh yourself every day, or every week, are you gaining weight or losing weight? Are the numbers going up or down?

That's a good point.

 

[Tarheel]

@kadioguy If the person is talking about gaining or losing weight then the question makes sense.

Abe: How are you doing on that diet? Are the numbers going up or down?
Bob: Slow but steady wins the race.
Abe: So they're going down?
Bon: That's right.