To compare the distances, we first understand that Mandy is currently at 5 feet above sea level (which we can think of as +5) and needs to dive to 8 feet below sea level (which we think of as -8).
Now we can calculate the distance between these two points:
- The distance from 5 to 0 is 5 feet (since she is at +5).
- The distance from 0 to -8 is 8 feet (since she needs to go to -8).
To find the total distance between +5 and -8, we can consider the straight distance on a number line:
Distance = |5 - (-8)| = |5 + 8| = |13| = 13 feet.
Now we can set up the inequality based on the distances being compared. In this context, we want to compare the positions +5 and -8:
-5 > -8 is true because -5 is greater than -8.
The correct inequality that compares the two points is:
-8 < 5, or equivalently, 5 > -8.
The answer option that matches this is:
5 > -8.