Question

The Taieri Plain in New Zealand is 6 feet below sea level (or –6 feet). If you are standing 3 feet above sea level, is your elevation the opposite of the elevation of the plain? Describe the steps you would follow with a vertical number line to find the answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

  no

Step-by-step explanation:

Opposite numbers are the same distance from 0 on the number line, but in opposite directions. Steps I would follow:

• first, check the directions to make sure they are opposite,
• then read the digits, or count the tick marks or compare lengths with dividers or ruler or marks on a piece of paper to see if the distances are the same.

  3 is not the opposite of -6

__

  6 is the opposite of -6

Answer 2

Answer: Sample Response: Although 6 and 3 are on opposite sides of sea level, or 0, they are not opposites because they are unequal distances from 0.

Step-by-step explanation:

3 is 3 units above 0 on a vertical number line.

–6 is 6 units below 0 on a vertical number line.

3 is not the opposite of –6.

Opposites are equal distances from 0.