Question

A ball falls from the ground into a pit that is 2.5 feet deep and then bounces to a height of 2.5 feet above the ground. Use the number line to complete the expression that represents the situation.

A) 0 + (-2 1/2) + 2 1/2
B) 0 + 2 1/2 - 2 1/2
C) 0 - 2 1/2 + 2 1/2
D) 0 - 2 1/2 - 2 1/2

Answer 1

The expression that represents the situation is 0 - 2 1/2 + 2 1/2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation can be represented by the expression:

C) 0 - 2 1/2 + 2 1/2

The ball falls from the ground into a pit, which is represented by a negative value. So, we start with 0 and subtract 2 1/2 to indicate the fall into the pit. Then, the ball bounces back to a height of 2 1/2 feet, which is represented by adding 2 1/2.