Find the absolute difference between the two numbers.
Subtract the smaller number from the larger number: 4.9 − 3.1 = 1.8 .
Take the absolute value of the difference: ∣1.8∣ = 1.8 .
The distance between the two numbers is 1.8 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to find the distance between two numbers, 4.9 and 3.1, on a number line. The distance between two points on a number line is the absolute value of the difference between the coordinates of the points.
Setting up the Calculation To find the distance, we subtract the smaller number from the larger number and take the absolute value. In this case, we have:
∣4.9 − 3.1∣
Performing the Subtraction Now, we perform the subtraction:
4.9 − 3.1 = 1.8
Taking the Absolute Value Since the result is already positive, the absolute value is the same:
∣1.8∣ = 1.8
Final Answer Therefore, the distance between 4.9 and 3.1 on a number line is 1.8.
Examples
Imagine you're measuring the length of a small object using a ruler. If one end of the object is at the 3.1 cm mark and the other end is at the 4.9 cm mark, finding the distance between these two points tells you the length of the object. This simple subtraction gives you the object's length, which is 1.8 cm. This concept is useful in various real-life scenarios, such as measuring distances, calculating differences in temperature, or determining the range of values.
The distance between 4.9 and 3.1 on a number line is calculated by finding the absolute value of their difference. By subtracting 3.1 from 4.9, we find that the distance is 1.8. Hence, 1.8 is the final answer.
;