Absolute Values and Distances: A 6th Grade Challenge

1. A hiker is at a point 5 miles north of the starting point. If he walks 3 miles south, what is his current position relative to the starting point?

• 3 miles north of the starting point

• 2 miles north of the starting point

• 5 miles south of the starting point

• 2 miles south of the starting point

2. The temperature in a city dropped from 2 degrees to -4 degrees. What is the absolute value of the change in temperature?

• 6

• 4

• 8

• 10

3. A submarine is at a depth of 150 feet below sea level. If it rises 70 feet, what is its new depth?

• 150 feet below sea level

• 90 feet below sea level

• 100 feet below sea level

• 80 feet below sea level

4. A roller coaster ride starts at a height of 20 feet above ground and drops to -15 feet below ground. What is the total distance traveled by the roller coaster?

• 35 feet

• 40 feet

• 30 feet

• 25 feet

5. A football team scored 10 points in the first half and lost 7 points in penalties in the second half. What is the team's final score relative to zero?

• 10

• 7

• -4

• 3

6. If a car is 12 miles east of a gas station and then drives 8 miles west, how far is the car from the gas station now?

• 4 miles

• 6 miles

• 2 miles

• 10 miles

7. A diver jumps from a platform that is 10 feet above the water and dives to a depth of 25 feet below the surface. What is the absolute value of the diver's distance from the water's surface?

• 15 feet

• 20 feet

• 30 feet

• 35 feet

8. A temperature reading shows -10 degrees in the morning and 5 degrees in the afternoon. What is the distance between these two temperatures on a number line?

• -15

• 10

• 15

• 20

9. A mountain climber is at an elevation of 3000 feet. If he descends 1200 feet, what is his new elevation?

• 1500 feet

• 3000 feet

• 2400 feet

• 1800 feet

10. A bank account has a balance of -$50. If a deposit of $75 is made, what is the new balance?

• $0

• $25

• $75

• -$50