Answer
$\mid$ b-a $\mid$ ; 7
Work Step by Step
The Distance between points on a real line uses the formula:
d(a,b) = $\mid$ b-a $\mid$
Now we are given the question to solve the distance between -5 and 2. We plugin -5 as a and 2 as b.
d(-5,2) = $\mid$ 2-(-5) $\mid$
Then, we distribute the minus sign to the -5. Since a negative times a negative is a positive, a will become a positive 5.
d(-5,2) = $\mid$ 2+5 $\mid$
Add the two numbers.
d(-5,2) = $\mid$ 7 $\mid$
The absolute of the number 7 will still be a positive 7.
d(-5,2) = 7
