Question

A building has 20 stairs above ground level and 20 stairs below ground level. If you are standing at the 16^th step below ground level, then how will you represent it mathematically?

• A. You are at +16^th step.
• B. You are at -16^th step.
• C. You are at -4^th step.
• D. You are at 4^th step.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

You are at -16^th step.

When we compare the stairs to a vertical number line, the ground level can be taken as zero, the stairs above the ground level are considered as positive integers and the stairs below the ground level are considered as negative inetgers. So, if you are standing at the 16^th step below ground level then, we can say that you are at -16^th step.