To determine whether the elevation of your standing position (3 feet above sea level) is the opposite of the elevation of the Taieri Plain (6 feet below sea level), we can use a vertical number line. Let's break down the steps:
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Set Up the Vertical Number Line:
- Draw a vertical line with a point labeled "0" for sea level.
- Mark the point -6 feet below sea level (Taieri Plain) and label it accordingly.
- Mark the point +3 feet above sea level (your position) and label it.
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Identify the Positions:
- Your position at +3 feet is above the zero point.
- The Taieri Plain at -6 feet is below the zero point.
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Finding Opposites:
- On a number line, the opposite of a number \( x \) is \( -x \).
- For your elevation of +3 feet, the opposite would be -3 feet.
- For the elevation of the Taieri Plain at -6 feet, the opposite would be +6 feet.
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Compare the Opposites:
- The elevation of the plain is -6 feet, which means its opposite is +6 feet.
- Your elevation is +3 feet, and its opposite is -3 feet.
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Conclusion:
- Since neither +3 feet and -6 feet are opposite values; +3 feet is not the opposite of -6 feet.
- Therefore, standing at +3 feet is not the opposite elevation of the Taieri Plain at -6 feet.
In summary, using a vertical number line, you can visually place both elevations and their opposites, leading to the conclusion that your elevation is not the opposite of the elevation of the Taieri Plain.