The distance between the ice cream shop and Joe's house is the same as the distance between the ice cream shop and the park. So Joe is not closer to the park or his house, he is in the middle.

Step-by-step explanation:

We consider that the ice cream shop is the zero value in the number line. We assume that going north is positive (right side of the number line) and going south is negative (left side of the number line).

The house position is 10 block north of the ice cream shop, so it is represented by the integer 10.

The park is 10 blocks south of the ice cream shop, so it is represented by the integer -10.

The lower absolute value of the integer, the closer position from the ice cream shop.

If we calculate the absollute value of the House position:

|10|=10

Then, we calculate the the absollute value of the Parkposition

|-10|=10

In conclusion, the distance between the ice cream shop and Joe's house is the same as the distance between the ice cream shop and the park. Joe is in the middle.