Mountain Weather: Distance from Zero

Use absolute value to interpret a mountain town’s temperature records.

Read Distance from Zero

All temperatures are in degrees Celsius. Absolute value describes distance from zero, not whether a temperature is above or below zero.

At sunrise, the town weather station recorded −7°C. Use the number line to find its distance from 0°C.

|−7| =

By noon, the temperature was +4°C. What does |+4| = 4 tell you?

A. The temperature was 4°C below zero.B. The temperature changed by 4°C since sunrise.C. The temperature was 4°C away from zero.D. The temperature was 0°C.

At one moment, the temperature was exactly 0°C.

How far was this temperature from 0°C? °C

Two temperature readings were each exactly 6°C from zero. Which pair could be the readings?

A. −6°C and +6°CB. 0°C and +6°CC. −3°C and +3°CD. −6°C and 0°C

A weather report says the temperature is below zero and its absolute value is 9.

What is the temperature? °C

Interpret Weather Records

Use the records below for questions 6–9. Positive readings are above zero; negative readings are below zero.

Monday’s Mountain-Town Readings
Time	Temperature (°C)
6 a.m.	−8
9 a.m.	−3
Noon	+5
3 p.m.	+8
6 p.m.	+2
9 p.m.	−5

How far from zero was the 9 a.m. temperature? °C

Which statement correctly compares the noon and 9 p.m. readings?

A. Both readings were below zero.B. The noon reading was closer to zero.C. The 9 p.m. reading had a negative absolute value.D. Both readings were 5°C from zero, on opposite sides.

The weather team flags readings whose absolute value is greater than 6. Select every time that should be flagged.

A reporter needs the recorded temperature closest to zero. Which reading should the reporter use?

A. −8°C at 6 a.m.B. +2°C at 6 p.m.C. −3°C at 9 a.m.D. +5°C at noon

10.

On Tuesday, a more precise sensor recorded −2.5°C.

What was the distance of this reading from 0°C? °C

Apply and Explain

Use absolute value to interpret each new weather situation. Explain your reasoning for the final question.

11.

A sensor near the town’s ridge records −3/4°C.

How far is this temperature from zero? °C

12.

A backup sensor stores only |temperature| = 4.5, not the signed temperature. What can the weather team conclude?

A. The temperature was definitely +4.5°C.B. The temperature was definitely −4.5°C.C. The temperature was either −4.5°C or +4.5°C.D. The temperature was 0°C.

13.

The town uses a special sensor check whenever a reading is at least 10°C from zero. Which reading requires the check?

A. −10°CB. +9°CC. −8°CD. 0°C

14.

Lena writes, “The temperature was −12°C, so its distance from zero was −12°C.” Explain her mistake and give the correct distance.