The document discusses using absolute value to find the distance between two numbers on a number line. It explains that test questions will ask for the distance between numbers rather than their absolute values. The distance will be expressed using absolute value symbols around the subtraction of the two numbers, even if simply subtracting the numbers would give the actual distance. It provides examples of finding the distance between numbers and notes that the answer choices on tests will be the absolute value expression rather than the actual difference.

1. Skill4 Distance from Zero on a Number Line using Absolute Value
Use pages 60-61 in your book.
The test questions about this will not ask you to find the absolute value of
a number. Instead, the question will ask how far apart two numbers are on the
number line. The answer will likely be expressed in term of absolute value. That is
one reason you need to understand absolute value.

2. The two problems below show what we mean by distance between numbers
on a number line. You can just count how far apart the numbers are here.
On the test, this will be too simple for a question.
Instead, the answers will be expressed in terms of absolute value.

3. Questions like you will see on the test.
The actual distance between the
numbers is 6. However, on a multiple
choice test will probably not give
6 as a choice.
Instead you must recognize the absolute
value way of writing the answer.
Either of the two ways at the left would
be correct.
Subtract the numbers and put absolute
Value symbols around the subtraction.

4. Find the distance between 5 and 10. We know it is 5 but the answer choices
will not have 5 but one of the two shown here..
Find the distance between 15 and -1. Actual answer is 16 but either of these are
what the test may give as correct choices.

5. You might also expect to see some fractions and/or decimals in these
problems. That will NOT change the way you write the absolute value
of the difference.