Question

Find the distance between the points $-2\frac{1}{2}$ and $-5\frac{1}{4}$ on the number line.

Answer 1

Here $-2\frac{1}{2}>-5\frac{1}{4}$

$\Rightarrow$ $-2\frac{1}{2}$ lies to the right of $-5\frac{1}{4}$

$\Rightarrow$ Distance $=(-2\frac{1}{2})-(-5\frac{1}{4})$

$=\left(\frac{5}{2}\right)-\left(\frac{21}{4}\right)$

$=\frac{-5}{2}+\frac{21}{4}$

$=\frac{-10}{4}+\frac{21}{4}$

$=\frac{11}{4}$ units