What you’ll learn
Interpret absolute value in context.
Key idea
Distance is the nonnegative magnitude of the signed elevation.
A positive example does not justify the general rule that distance inherits elevation's sign; negative elevations still have positive distance.
Worked example
Classify examples and non-examples for the concept 'Interpret absolute value in context'.
A station is at elevation -45 m relative to sea level. Is 'its distance from sea level is -45 m' a correct absolute-value interpretation?
- Signed elevation identifies a point 45 m from zero.
- Its absolute distance is 45 m and never negative.
Answer: Non-example — distance is |-45|=45 m, while signed elevation is -45 m.
Quick Check
Classify examples and non-examples for the concept 'Interpret absolute value in context'.
A station is at elevation -20 m relative to sea level. Is 'its distance from sea level is -20 m' a correct absolute-value interpretation?