Math Problem Statement

Use the dropdown to complete the following inequality. A number line with three ticks. The tick in the center is labeled as 0. The tick to the left of 0 is labeled as negative 1. The tick to the right of 0 is labeled as 1. Unevenly spaced filled points a and b are labeled on the number line. Point a is located between 0 and 1 and closer to 1. Point b is located between negative 1 and 0 and closer to 0. [-1\phantom{-}] [0] [1] [b] [a] [a +b ]

[a-b]

Solution

To complete the inequality, let's first establish the locations of the points and their relationships:

  • Point a is located between 0 and 1, closer to 1. This means aa is positive and less than 1.
  • Point b is located between -1 and 0, closer to 0. This means bb is negative and greater than -1.
  • We are asked to compare a+ba + b and aba - b.

Key considerations:

  1. a+ba + b: Since aa is positive and bb is negative, a+ba + b will be the sum of a small positive number and a small negative number. Depending on the relative magnitudes of aa and bb, the sum could be positive or negative, but it will generally be closer to 0.

  2. aba - b: Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding a positive number. So aba - b will be larger than aa, and closer to 1, since bb is negative.

Completing the inequality:

We can infer the following relationships:

  • a+ba + b is a value between 1-1 and 00, because the sum of a small positive number aa and a small negative number bb will not exceed 0.
  • aba - b is larger, because subtracting a negative bb effectively adds the magnitude of bb, making the result greater than aa.

Therefore, the inequality that completes the sentence is: a+b<aba + b < a - b

Summary:

The correct inequality is: a+b<aba + b < a - b

Would you like further explanation or details on any part of this? Here are some related questions to explore:

  1. How does the addition of two numbers with opposite signs work mathematically?
  2. Can a+ba + b ever exceed aba - b in this case? Why or why not?
  3. How would the inequality change if aa and bb were both positive or both negative?
  4. What happens to the sum a+ba + b as aa gets closer to 1 or bb gets closer to -1?
  5. How can this concept of addition and subtraction of numbers with different signs be applied in solving equations?

Tip: When adding numbers with different signs, always subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger one and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Inequality
Number Line
Addition and Subtraction of Real Numbers
Signed Numbers

Formulas

a + b
a - b

Theorems

Properties of inequalities
Addition and subtraction of real numbers with different signs

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8