Question

Jessie and his family drove up to a picnic area on a mountain. In the morning, they followed a trail that led to the mountain summit, which was 2,000 feet above the picnic area. They then returned to the picnic area for lunch. After lunch, they hiked on a trail that led to the mountain overlook, which was 3,500 feet below the picnic area. On the number line below the location of the Picnic Area, P, is represented by the value 0; the Mountain Summit, S, is represented by the value 2,000; and the Mountain Overlook, O, is represented by the value, -3,500. O P S Write the absolute value of the elevation of the Mountain Summit and Mountain Overlook Below. Mountain Summit: |2,000| = Mountain Overlook: |-3,500| =

Answer 1

i. 2000 ii. 3500

Explanation:

Since the absolute value of a number x, |x| = x if x > 0 and |x| = -x if x < 0,

i. Absolute value of Mountain Summit

Since the Mountain Summit elevation, x = 2000 - 0 = 2000, its absolute value = |2000| = 2000

ii. Absolute value of Mountain Overlook

Since the Mountain Summit elevation, x = -3500 - 0 = -3500, its absolute value = |-3500| = -(-3500) = 3500