Question

Long ago, many volcanic eruptions in the ocean made an island. It was 4,500 m above sea level. After years of erosion, it sank to 600 m below sea level. Which expression represents the difference in elevations?

Answer 1

Answer:

| -600 - 4500 |

Explanation:

The island was 4,500 meters above sea level; therefore, its altitude is 4.500 m.

The island sank to 600 below sea level; therefore, its altitude is -600 m. ( the negative sign tells us that the island is below sea level).

Therefore, the difference between the altitudes is

$-600-4500$

If we want our answer to be a positive number, then we just take the absolute value of the above; This gives

$|-600-4500|$

which is our answer!