If it is – 30º F in Alaska and it is 85º F in Honolulu, what is the temperature difference between the two cities?

Answer 1

85 - (-35) = 85 + 35 = 120 degrees difference

or you could use the absolute value as the difference

l85-(-35)l = l85+35l = l120l = 120

that way it doesn't matter which number you subtract from which, the result is always positive

l-35-85l = l-120l = 120

the difference in temperatures is 120 degrees