Question

The elevation of Bad Water Basin is −279 feet, and the elevation of Desert Shores is −200 feet. New Orleans is −7 feet below sea level. Considering that the elevation at sea level is 0, which statement correctly compares the elevations of the three cities? Which city is closest to sea level?

Answer 1

The answer is A because −7 > −200 > − 279; New Orleans

Think about a number line. As negative numbers move left from 0, the values decrease. Therefore, −7 is greater than −200, and −200 is greater than −279. 

Since −7 is closest to 0, New Orleans is closest to sea level.