Question

Find the distance between -9 and 0.
A. 0
B. 9
C. 8
D. -9

Answer 1

Hint: In the comparison and finding the distance we use the number line. We use the concept of positive and negative numbers and their relation with 0. We use the direction in which positive and negative numbers go. In the end, we get the respective positions of the numbers to each other.

Complete step-by-step solution
We use the number line in this case. To find the distance we first need to compare the 2 entries. We start from the origin i.e. 0.
If the number is positive then we go to the right of the origin and if the number is negative, we go left. 0 is the base point. The modulus value of the digit is the distance it from the origin.
As we have the entries both on the number line, we take the modulus of the difference of the numbers.
The more we go left on the number line the less its value becomes and the more we go right on the number line the more its value.
The end position of -9 is to the left of the origin and the distance is $\left| 0-\left( -9 \right) \right|=9$ unit.

So, we can see 0 is to the right of the other digit -9, on the number line and the distance between -9 and 0 is 9.
The correct option is B.

Note: 0 is a neutral number, neither positive nor negative. The distance between two numbers whether they are positive or negative will always be positive. The sign before any digit describes its position with respect to 0. If the sign is negative, it’s on the left side of 0 and if it’s positive (or no sign given, we consider it positive) then it’s on the right side of 0. The modulus value can never be negative.