Question 2 • Pre-Algebra - MA3119 A ? Distance Learning
Sample response: The number further left on a number line is the smaller number. For positive numbers, the number closest to zero is smaller. For negative numbers, the number closest to zero is larger. If a is less than b, and they are both positive, then a is closer to 0 than b. The opposite of a is also closer to zero than the opposite of b, so the opposite of a must be larger than the opposite of b. Check any that you included in your response.For positive numbers, the number closest to zero
Answer
A
For positive numbers, the number closest to zero is the least.
B
For negative numbers, the number closest to zero is the greatest.
C
So, since a and b are both positive and a < b, the opposite of a is greater than the opposite of b.
Explanation
All three statements are correct. Among positive numbers, the one closer to zero is smaller, so it is the least (A). Among negative numbers, the one closer to zero is greater (B). If 0 < a < b, then reversing their signs gives −b < −a, so the opposite of a is greater than the opposite of b (C).
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