Question

​Which expression represents the distance between −14.6 and −5.2 on the number line?

Drag and drop the correct expression into the box.

1. |14.6 + 5.2|​​
2. |−5.2 − 14.6|​​
3. |5.2 + 14.6|
4. ​|−14.6 − (−5.2)|

Answer 1

The correct expression which represents the distance between these two points on the number line is:

4. ​|−14.6 − (−5.2)|

Explanation:

We know that if a and b are two numbers on the number line then the distance between the two numbers a and b is given by the formula:

|a-b|

Here we have to numbers as:

a= -14.6

and

b= -5.2

Hence, the distance between these two points is given by:

|-14.6-(-5.2)|=|-14.6+5.2|=|-9|=9

Hence, the correct answer is: Option: 4

Answer 2

The correct answer is D.) ​|−14.6 − (−5.2)|

This is the case because we are first subtracting the value of the two numbers from each other. Then we're taking the absolute value so we can find distance, which is always expressed in a positive number.