Question

An island has some portion submerged in water. Point A on the island is at negative 5 over 4 feet from the surface of the sea. Point B on the island is at negative 2 over 3 feet from the surface of the sea. Because negative 2 over 3 feet > negative 5 over 4 feet, what is true about the distance of the two points from the surface of the sea?

a. Point A is closer to the surface of the sea than point B.

b. Point B is closer to the surface of the sea than point A.

c. Both points are 1 and 11 over 12 feet from the surface of the sea.

d. Both points are 7 over 12 feet from the surface of the sea.

Answer 1

The answer would be a. Point A is closer to the surface of the sea than point B.

-2/3 has a smaller absolute value than -5/4, meaning that -2/3 is close to 0

Answer 2

A. Point A is closer to the surface of the sea than point B.

Explanation:

Point A on the island is at -5/4 feet from the surface of the sea.

Point B on the island is at -2/3 feet from the surface of the sea.

-2/3 feet > -5/4 feet

=> -0.666 feet > -1.25 feet

-0.666 is close to zero.

So, answer will be A. Point A is closer to the surface of the sea than point B.