Question

at 7 pm, the temperature outside was -5°c. what does |-5| represent in this situation?
the number of hours when the temperature was higher
the temperature at 7 pm
the change in temperature during the past hour
the number of degrees between 0°c and -5°c

Explanation:

The absolute value \(|-5|\) represents the distance of \(-5\) from \(0\) on the number line. In the context of temperature, this distance is the number of degrees between \(0^\circ \text{C}\) and \(-5^\circ \text{C}\). The first option is incorrect as it relates to hours, not temperature. The second option is \(-5^\circ \text{C}\), not its absolute value. The third option is about temperature change, not the absolute value of the temperature.

Answer:

the number of degrees between \(0^\circ \text{C}\) and \(-5^\circ \text{C}\)