Question

A gopher was digging 8 inches below ground. To avoid a tree root, it dug 3 inches deeper. What is the position of the gopher now relative to the surface?

To solve the problem, Miles subtracted
–
8–3 and came up with an answer of
–
11 inches. Is Miles correct? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The gopher is now 11 inches below the surface after digging an additional 3 inches deeper than its original depth of 8 inches.

Miles is correct in using subtraction of the negative numbers to find the answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is attempting to determine the position of a gopher relative to the surface after it has dug deeper to avoid a tree root.

The gopher was originally 8 inches below ground and dug an additional 3 inches deeper.

To calculate the new depth, we add the two depths together because both describe movement away from the surface (downward).

So, the calculation should be: -8 inches (initial depth) + -3 inches (deeper)

= -11 inches.

Yes, Miles is correct. The negative sign indicates a position below ground, so the gopher is now 11 inches below the surface.