please find the distance between the two numbers on a number line
-2 1/2 and -5 3/4
To find the distance of two numbers on the number line, simply subtract the 2 numbers.
\(-2\frac{1}{2}-(-5\frac{3}{4})\) | Subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding a positive. |
\(-2\frac{1}{2}+5\frac{3}{4}\) | Now convert each fraction to an improper fraction. Doing this is the first step to allow us to calculate the distance. |
\(-2\frac{1}{2}=-\frac{2*2+1}{2}=\frac{-5}{2}\) | Now, convert the other fraction to an improper fraction. |
\(5\frac{3}{4}=\frac{4*5+3}{4}=\frac{23}{4}\) | Now, reinsert these improper fraction back into the expression. |
\(\frac{-5}{2}+\frac{23}{4}\) | In order to add these fractions, we must create a common denominator. Multiply the first fraction by 2/2 to achieve this. |
\(\frac{-10}{4}+\frac{23}{4}\) | Now, add the fractions together. |
\(\frac{13}{4}=3.25\) | This is the distance in between the two numbers on the number line. |