Dora was teaching a flea to hop on a number line. The flea hopped right five units four times and then left three units two times. Write the total change to the flea's position as an integer.
Mathematics · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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Since the flea hopped to the right, meaning it's direction is positive. Multiply 5 units by 4 since the flea hopped four times.
(5)(4) = 20
Therefore the total units that flea travelled to the right is 20 units
The flea hopping to the left means it's direction will be negative. Multiply -3 units by 2 times. 3 became negative because the direction is to the left.
(-3)(2) = -6
In order to determine the total change in position, simply add the two numbers.
= 20 + (-6)
= 20 - 6
= 14 units
The total changed in the position of the flea is 14 units.