Question

World Temperatures To use negative numbers in context. Use an empty number line to calculate the difference between a negative and a positive number.

a. 12 and -9
b. -5 and 20
c. 9 and -9

Answer 1

To find the difference between a negative and a positive number on an empty number line, add the absolute values of both numbers. Examples include 21 for the difference between 12 and -9, 25 for the difference between -5 and 20, and 18 for the difference between 9 and -9.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the difference between a negative and a positive number, you can visualize this process on an empty number line. Let's work through each example:

• a. 12 and -9: To find the difference, count up from -9 to 0, which is 9 steps, and then from 0 to 12, which is an additional 12 steps. The total difference is 9 + 12 = 21.
• b. -5 and 20: Counting from -5 to 0 gives you 5 steps, and from 0 to 20 is 20 steps. The total difference is 5 + 20 = 25.
• c. 9 and -9: Here you count from -9 to 0 (9 steps) and then from 0 to 9 (another 9 steps). The total difference is 9 + 9 = 18.

Temperatures like -10 °F and -15 °C are examples of how negative numbers are used in temperature measurements below 0 degrees.