Final answer:
The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in Chicago is found by adding their absolute values, which gives a temperature difference of 132 degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in Chicago can be found using absolute values. Absolute value represents the distance a number is from zero on a number line, regardless of the direction. Therefore, to find the difference, we take the absolute value of the highest temperature, which is 105 degrees, and add it to the absolute value of the lowest temperature, which is -27 degrees:
- Absolute value of 105° is 105°.
- Absolute value of -27° is 27°.
Now, add the two absolute values:
105° + 27° = 132°.
So, the difference in temperature is 132 degrees.