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If a line segment AB is on the number line, and the point A is at - 3 and point B is at 7, the length of AB is ____.

User Lalameat
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2 Answers

4 votes

Answer:

The length of AB is 10.

Explanation:

The length of AB would be the distance between A and B. This can be found by subtracting A from B (B from A would also work), and then taking the absolute value of what we get. In other words:

L = |B - A| where L is the length of AB.

We know that A = -3 and B = 7, so now we just have to plug in A and B into the equation L = |B - A| and solve for L (the length of AB).

L = |B - A|

Plug in -3 and 7 for A and B, respectively

L = |7 - (-3)|

Remember: a - (-b) = a + b

L = |7 + 3|

Simplify.

L = |10|

The absolute value of 10 is 10.

L = 10.

The length of AB is 10.

I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to ask me questions if the do not understand anything in my answer. Happy studying. :)

User Tarun Modi
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4 votes
10 because if you add 10 to -3 it’d be 7.
User Ralf Ulrich
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