A drill began digging a well 48 3/5 feet above sea level.When the work was complete,the drill had dug in to the ground to a depth of 12 1/2 feet below sea level.How far did the drill dig in all?

Question

anonymous · Answer

so final height - initial height = distance.
Think sea level as 0, so 
-12 1/2 - 48 3/5 = ?

anonymous · Answer

and then take the absolute value of the answer, because distance can't be negative.

anonymous · Answer

Wait...wouldn't it be 48 3/5 - -12 1/2?

anonymous · Answer

same either way.

anonymous · Answer

I still don't get it

anonymous · Answer

Why subtract?

anonymous · Answer

It's the total distance

anonymous · Answer

$$\left(48+\frac{3}{5}\right)-\left(-12-\frac{1}{2}\right)=\frac{174}{5}=34+\frac{4}{5} $$

anonymous · Answer

vicky191, think about it this way.

if a plane starts 2m above ground and stops at 4m above ground,
Wouldn't you do 4-2 to find the distance? ( you could also do 2-4 and take the absolute value.  Either way the answer will be 2m.) 
Similarly, you could do -12 1/2 - 48 3/5 as well as  48 3/5 - (-12 1/2).