Question

what is the distance between -20 and -6 on a number line?
units

Explanation:

Step1: Recall distance formula

The distance between two numbers \(a\) and \(b\) on a number line is \(|a - b|\) (or \(|b - a|\)).

Step2: Substitute values

Let \(a=-20\) and \(b = - 6\). Then the distance is \(|-20-(-6)|\).
Simplify the expression inside the absolute value: \(-20 - (-6)=-20 + 6=-14\).

Step3: Take absolute value

The absolute value of \(-14\) is \(| - 14| = 14\).

Answer:

14