Question

Shanika is thinking of a rational number, but tells you its opposite. What is true about the number she is thinking of?

Answer 1

Answer: It is the same distance from zero as the number she tells you.

Step-by-step explanation:

For this exercise it is important to remember the definition of opposite numbers.

Opposite numbers are defined as those numbers that are in opposite positions on a number line, but their distance from zero is the same. Then, one of them is positive and the other one is negative.

The sum of opposite numbers is zero.

For example, the following numbers are opposite:

 $8$ and $-8$

 $31$ and $-31$

 $105$ and $-105$

Therefore, if Shanika says the opposite of a rational number, you can conclude that the number she is thinking is the same distance from zero as the number she tells you.