Question

We use absolute value to find distances in the real world. Suppose you travel 10 miles north to the grocery store then 6 miles south to the post office. From here, you travel 8 miles north to the nearest bank. What is the total distance you have traveled?

Answer 1

10+|-6|+8=24

Answer 2

Thank you! :)

Answer 3

Travel implies displacement, and they're not asking you what is the final distance between your point of origin and your end point, but rather how far you walked regardless of direction. North can be considered positive and South negative, but since the question is about total distance traveled, the absolute value of the 6 miles southbound (which in this case could be seen as -6) would be a positive 6

Answer 4

You're welcome :)

Answer 5

Thanks for the medal!