Which of the following correctly uses absolute value to show the distance between −70 and 15?

1. |−70 − 15| = |−85| = −85 units
2. |−70 + 15| = |−55| = 55 units
3. |−70 − 15| = |−85| = 85 units
4. |−70 + 15| = |−55| = −55 units

Question

Which of the following correctly uses absolute value to show the distance between −70 and 15?

1.  |−70 − 15| = |−85| = −85 units 
2.  |−70 + 15| = |−55| = 55 units 
3.  |−70 − 15| = |−85| = 85 units
4.  |−70 + 15| = |−55| = −55 units

anonymous · Answer

I think it might be 4.

anonymous · Answer

am i right?

phi · Answer

first, the | |  make whatever is inside *positive*
you can *never* get  | some number| =  negative

phi · Answer

second , if you are at -70  and count up -69, -68 , -67
it will take 70 steps to get to 0,  and then you have to go even more to get to 15

phi · Answer

for example
| -2 |  turns into 2
and | 2 |  is just 2

anonymous · Answer

alright thank you

phi · Answer

you can cross off any answer that has a negative number