Question

1. the table shows the lowest elevations in meters of several places within the united states. use the table to answer parts (a)–(c).

place	lowest elevation (meters)
lake erie, michigan	174
new orleans, louisiana	$-2.4$
lake champlain, vermont	28
badwater basin in death valley, california	$-86$
lake michigan, wisconsin	176

a. write an inequality comparing $-2.4$ and $-86$.
b. explain the meaning of $28 > -2.4$ in this situation.
c. order the places from lowest elevation to highest elevation.

Explanation:

Step1: Compare -2.4 and -86

On the number line, -2.4 is to the right of -86, so -2.4 > -86.

Step2: Explain 28 > -2.4

28 is Lake Champlain’s elevation; -2.4 is New Orleans’ elevation. 28 > -2.4 means Lake Champlain’s lowest elevation is higher than New Orleans’.

Step3: Order elevations from lowest to highest

List all elevations: -86 (Badwater Basin), -2.4 (New Orleans), 28 (Lake Champlain), 174 (Lake Erie), 176 (Lake Michigan), 183 (Lake Superior). Match to places.

Answer:

a. $-2.4 > -86$
b. Lake Champlain's lowest elevation (28 meters) is higher than New Orleans' lowest elevation (-2.4 meters).
c. Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; Lake Champlain, Vermont; Lake Erie, Michigan; Lake Michigan, Wisconsin; Lake Superior, Minnesota.