Question

Find the distance between the given numbers

Short answer

The distance of the given number is 4

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Apply the concept of absolute value.

If a is a real number, then the absolute value of a is given by:

$\left|a\right|=\left\{\begin{array}{l}a\text{;if}a\ge 0\\ -a\text{;if}a<0\end{array}\right.$

Step 2. Apply the concept of distance.

If a and b are real numbers, then the distance between the points a and b on the real line is

$d\left(a,b\right)=\left|b-a\right|$

Step 3. Analyze the given numbers.

Given numbers are -2.5 and 1.5

Step 4. Find the distance.

Distance between -2.5 and 1.5 is given by:

$\begin{array}{l}d(-2.5,1.5)=\left|1.5-(-2.5)\right|\\ \Rightarrow d(-2.5,1.5)=\left|1.5+2.5\right|\\ \Rightarrow d(-2.5,1.5)=\left|4\right|\\ \Rightarrow d(-2.5,1.5)=\mathrm{4..................}[4>0]\end{array}$