Computing the distance between two integers on a number line

Introduction

A simple way to calculate the distance between numbers on a number line is to count every number between them. A faster way is to find the distance by taking the absolute value of the difference of those numbers.

Absolute value of a number on a number line is its distance from 0 on the number line

For example, the absolute values of 4 and -4, or |4| and |-4|, are both 4.

This method of finding distance on number line works for numbers both close together and far apart.

For example, the distance between 4 and 4 on the number line given by the |4 (4) | = |4 + 4 | = 8 units

Example 1

Use the number line to find the distance between the following integers:

9 and 3

Solution

Step 1:

On the number line

Step 2:

Distance between the integers

|3 (9) | = |3 + 9| = |6| = 6 units

Example 2

Use the number line to find the distance between the following integers:

17 and 8

Solution

Step 1:

On the number line

Step 2:

Distance between the integers

|17 (8) | = |17 + 8 | = |25| = 25 units