Question

The town of hillside has an elevation of 50 feet above sea level. The town of Lakeside has an elevation of -35 feet. A bicyclist rides from Lakeside to Hillside,and wants to find his change in elevation. He finds the difference between his final elevation, 50 feet, and his starting elevation, -35 feet. What is the difference?

Answer 1

The difference is 85 ft.

Explanation:

Elevation 1: 50 ft

Elevation 2: -35 ft

Difference = Elevation 1 - Elevation 2

Difference = 50 - (-35)

I can simplify this expression, as subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive number:

Difference = 50 + 35

Difference = 85

Answer: The difference is 85 ft.