Question

Which expression shows the distance on The number line between 2 and -7?

Answer 1

Answer:

|2-(-7)| = 9

Step-by-step explanation:

The quantity inside the absolute value operator is 9 only in the second given possible answer.  Think:  from -7 you must travel 7 units to the right to reach the origin.  Then, from the origin you must travel another 2 units to the right.  Thus, the distance traveled is 7+2 = 9, which is equivalent to |2-(-7)|.