Question

during the great blizzard of 1899, it was unusually cold in most of the united states. the table shows the low temperatures of various cities on february 13, 1899.

city	low temperature (°f)
portland	9
miami	29
las vegas	-22

which city’s low temperature was closest to zero?
dallas
portland
miami
las vegas

Explanation:

Step1: Find absolute values

To determine which temperature is closest to zero, we find the absolute value of each city's low temperature. The absolute value of a number \( x \) is \( |x| \), which represents its distance from zero on the number line.

• For Dallas: \( | - 8|=8 \)
• For Portland: \( |9| = 9 \)
• For Miami: \( |29|=29 \)
• For Las Vegas: \( | - 22| = 22 \)

Step2: Compare absolute values

Now we compare these absolute values: \( 8<9<22<29 \). The smallest absolute value is 8, which corresponds to Dallas? Wait, no, wait. Wait, Portland's absolute value is 9, Dallas is 8. Wait, 8 is less than 9. Wait, but wait, let's re - check. Wait, Dallas: \( | - 8| = 8 \), Portland: \( |9|=9 \). So 8 is closer to 0 than 9? Wait, no, the question is which is closest to zero. Wait, the absolute value of - 8 is 8, absolute value of 9 is 9. So 8 is smaller than 9, so Dallas is closer? Wait, but maybe I made a mistake. Wait, let's list all absolute values:

Dallas: \( |-8| = 8 \)

Portland: \( |9|=9 \)

Miami: \( |29| = 29 \)

Las Vegas: \( |-22|=22 \)

Since \( 8<9<22<29 \), the smallest absolute value is 8, which is for Dallas? Wait, but the options are Dallas, Portland, Miami, Las Vegas. Wait, maybe I miscalculated. Wait, - 8 is 8 units from 0, 9 is 9 units from 0. So 8 is closer than 9. So Dallas is closer? Wait, but let's check again.

Wait, the temperature of Dallas is - 8, Portland is 9, Miami is 29, Las Vegas is - 22. The distance from 0 for Dallas is 8, for Portland is 9. So 8 is less than 9, so Dallas is closer. But wait, maybe the original problem has a typo? Or maybe I misread. Wait, no, let's do it again.

Absolute value of - 8: 8

Absolute value of 9:9

So 8 < 9, so Dallas is closer. But wait, maybe the question was different? Wait, no, the problem says "which city's low temperature was closest to zero". So we calculate the absolute value (distance from zero) for each:

Dallas: \( |-8| = 8 \)

Portland: \( |9| = 9 \)

Miami: \( |29|=29 \)

Las Vegas: \( |-22| = 22 \)

The smallest distance is 8, which is Dallas. Wait, but maybe I made a mistake. Wait, let's check the numbers again. Dallas: - 8, Portland:9. So - 8 is 8 away from 0, 9 is 9 away from 0. So 8 is closer. So Dallas is the answer? Wait, but maybe the options are different. Wait, the options are Dallas, Portland, Miami, Las Vegas. So according to the calculation, Dallas has the smallest absolute value (8), so it's closest to zero.

Answer:

Dallas