To analyze the expression \( p + (-q) \), we can rewrite it as \( p - q \).
Given that both \( p \) and \( q \) are positive numbers, the result of \( p - q \) will depend on the relative sizes of \( p \) and \( q \):
- If \( p > q \), the result \( p - q \) will be positive.
- If \( p < q \), the result \( p - q \) will be negative.
- If \( p = q \), the result will be zero.
However, the question is specifically about the representation of \( p + (-q) \).
When we consider \( p + (-q) \):
- This expression can be interpreted as starting at \( p \) and moving \( q \) units in the negative direction.
Thus, the best option that describes this is:
The sum \( p + (-q) \) is the number located a distance \( |q| \) from \( p \) in the negative direction.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
D. The sum \( p + (-q) \) is the number located a distance |q| from p in the negative direction.