Question

Please help me find the distance between -1/6 and 17/12 on a number line.

Answer 1

@zepdrix

Answer 2

@zepdrix

Answer 3

Do you understand how to rewrite -1/6 in terms of twelfths? :)
We would like a common denominator between the two values,
a 12 seems like a good choice.

Answer 4

\[\large\rm -\frac{1}{6}=-\frac{?}{12}\]

Answer 5

is that 17/12 or 1 and 7/12?

Answer 6

its is 7/12

Answer 7

I'm so confused!!

Answer 8

First, some practice.

Draw a number line. Plot x=-1 and x=13 on this line.
What is the distance between these two x-values? Show all work you do.

Answer 9

I really don't understand what this is asking.

Answer 10

Have you any notes from class about this type of math problem? do you have a textbook, and, if so, have you read the relevant section? Sorry to put you on the spot, but you continue to state "i don't understand." Rather than expect someone else to start from ground zero in explaining the concept of distance between two points on a number line, could you possibly ask questions...taking some control of your own learning?

Answer 11

In other words, share whatever you have done so far to help yourself learn this material.

Answer 12

You know what? I have spent a lot of time on this site and normally people are polite and helpful. My teacher genuinely didn't explain this topic in class. I understand how it would work in a normal situation. I thought when you were giving the example above, that you were explaining how to do this problem. I didn't understand where you got 1 and 13. I simply don't know how to do this type of question when decimals are involved.

Answer 13

Furthermore, to answer your question, I CAME here to get help and further my learning on the topic. This is a question on a NON-CREDITED ASSIGNMENT!

Answer 14

I'm sorry if you don't feel I'm "polite" or "helpful."

I was, as you guessed, giving you an example problem to work on.

I asked you to draw a number line and then plot two points on it: -1 and 13.

Could you do that, please?

Answer 15

The distance is 16

Answer 16

The distance from x=-1 to x=0 is actually 1; that from 0 to 13 is 13.
The sum of these two distances is what?

Answer 17

Remember, you are measuring the straight line distance from x=-1 to x=13.

Answer 18

x=0 happens to be between x=-1 and x=13.

Answer 19

You could also do this problem by writing the following: 13-(-1). What's that equal to?

Answer 20

14?

Answer 21

Yes, you've got it. Any questions so far?

Answer 22

No

Answer 23

Now draw another number line and mark -3/2 and +7/2 on it. Don't worry about where I got that -3/2 or that 7.2; this is strictly an example.

Answer 24

So, can I solve just by doing 17/12 +1/6?

Answer 25

Sorry. I just think I have it now.

Answer 26

Assuming that you know how to find the LCD, yes, can solve the given problem just by adding those fractions together.

Answer 27

Do it, please, sharing your work along the way.

Answer 28

Generally speaking, to find the distance between two numbers, `you subtract the values`. But yes, since you're subtracting a negative, the operation changes to addition. :)\[\rm \text{distance between }-\frac16\text{ and }\frac7{12}\quad=\quad \frac7{12}-\left(-\frac{1}{6}\right)\]

Answer 29

As zepdrix suggested earlier, use 12 as your LCD.

What is 17/12 - (-2/12)?

Answer 30

Taking this problem one further step towards solution, find the value of \[\frac{ 17-(-2) }{ 12 }\]

Answer 31

You can combine those 2 fractions because they share the denominator, 12.

Answer 32

Come on, show your stuff. I have to get off the 'Net now, but will be back on OpenStudy later on.

Answer 33

I figured it out. Thanks. Bye.