Subtracting Rational Numbers

Question

Find the distance between the two numbers on a number line. Write your answer as a mixed number.

 

-7,−3 2/3

 

The distance between the two numbers is  _____

Answer 1

The distance between the 2 numbers is obtained by taking the difference of the absolute value of each:

7 - 3 2/3 = 21/3 - 11/3 = 10/3, or 3 1/3.