Question

Sarah hiked a path that took her from 34 feet below sea level to 52 feet above sea level . What was the change in her elevation?​

Answer 1

Answer:

86 ft

Step-by-step explanation:

First method: Logical thinking

Think of the position 34 ft below sea level as -34.

The position above sea level is 52.

You need to find the distance between -34 and 52.

You go from 34 ft below sea level, -34 to 0. That is 34 ft.

Then you go from sea level, 0 ft, to 52 ft above sea level. That is 52 ft.

The total is 34 ft + 52 ft = 86 ft

Answer: 86 ft

Second method: Calculate a distance in math

The distance between two points on a number line is the absolute value of the difference of their coordinates. The coordinates are -34 and 52. Subtract the numbers in either order, and take the absolute value of the difference.

|-34 - 52| = |-86| = 86

If you did it in the other order, you'd get the same answer.

|52 - (-34)| = |52 + 34| = |86| = 86

Answer: 86 ft