Interpret the following absolute value as a distance on the number line.

Question

Interpret the following absolute value as a distance on the number line. Evaluate if possible.

If it is not possible to evaluate, enter NA.

| -8-5 | is the distance between _______ and ________.

| -8-5 | = ________.

Answer 1

Hi Louis,

1. |-8-5| is equal to the distance between -8 and 5
2. In order to calculate the distance between, I would first calculate the absolute value of |-8-5|. From Question 2 we know that |-8-5|=13. Therefore we are looking for two numbers whose distance between them is 13 units. If we think of the number line, there are 8 units between -8 and 0, and 5 units between 0 and 5. 8+5=13, therefore the distance between -8 and 5 is 13.
3. |-8-5|=13
4. To calculate the absolute value, first subtract or add whatever is inside the absolute value brackets and then change that value to positive. In this case...
5. |-8-5| = |(-8) - 5| = |-13| = 13

Answer 2

Ι-8-5Ι = -13 , is the distance between-13 and 0