Question

To reach a point Q, David travels $\frac{5}{2}$ km to the left of P but takes a wrong turn and travels in the opposite direction.

If he travels in the right direction, find his correct position.

• A. - $\frac{5}{4}$
• B. + $\frac{7}{2}$
• C. - $\frac{7}{4}$.
• D. + $\frac{5}{2}$

Answer 1

The correct option is D + $\frac{5}{2}$

Given: Point P is located at '0' on the number line.

Position of Q from P = - $\frac{5}{2}$ km

After reaching Q, he realizes that he took a wrong turn and traveled in the opposite direction.

While moving in the right direction, distance covered from P (origin) is the same as that was till Q = +$\frac{5}{2}$ km
i.e.,


So, as he covers the same distance but in the opposite direction, he reaches position +$\frac{5}{2}$.

Thus, we can conclude that the opposite signs of numbers indicate opposite sides of 0 on the number line and if they are equal they are equidistant from 0 but in the opposite direction.