To determine the correct response regarding the sum \( p + (-q) \) where \( p \) and \( q \) are positive numbers, let's analyze the expression.
The expression \( p + (-q) \) can be rewritten as \( p - q \). Since \( p \) and \( q \) are both positive numbers, the result \( p - q \) will depend on the relationship between \( p \) and \( q \):
- If \( p \) is greater than \( q \), then \( p - q \) is a positive number.
- If \( p \) is equal to \( q \), then \( p - q \) is zero.
- If \( p \) is less than \( q \), then \( p - q \) will be a negative number.
The phrasing in the question asks us to describe the sum \( p + (-q) \).
The first response states that the sum \( p + (-q) \) is located a distance \( |q| \) from \( p \) in the negative direction, which accurately reflects that we are moving \( q \) units to the left of \( p \).
Hence, the correct response is:
The sum \( p + (-q) \) is the number located a distance \( |q| \) from \( p \) in the negative direction.