Question

Which absolute value expression BEST represents the distance between the points shown on the number line?
Responses -1 and 4

Answer 1

To find the distance between the points -1 and 4 on a number line, you can use the absolute value expression for distance, which is given by:

\[
\text{Distance} = |x_2 - x_1|
\]

In this case, \(x_1 = -1\) and \(x_2 = 4\). Plugging in these values gives:

\[
\text{Distance} = |4 - (-1)| = |4 + 1| = |5| = 5
\]

Thus, the absolute value expression that best represents the distance between the points -1 and 4 is:

\[
|4 - (-1)|
\]

Or, equivalently:

\[
|4 + 1|
\]

Both expressions ultimately evaluate to 5, which represents the distance between the two points on the number line.