Which number line shows the correct way to find the sum p+q if p is positive and q is negative?

1 answer

To find the sum p+q where p is positive and q is negative, we need to follow these steps:

1. Start from the point on the number line that represents the value of p. Since p is positive, this point will be to the right of zero.

2. From the point representing p, move q units to the left on the number line. Since q is negative, moving to the left corresponds to adding the absolute value of q.

Here is an example of a number line showing the correct way to find the sum p+q:

-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
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P Q

In this example, the point P represents the value of p, and the point Q represents the value of q. To find the sum p+q, we start from P and move 4 units to the left to reach Q.