Out of #.75, -2/3, -.4, 7/8#, which of these values is farthest from zero?

1 Answer
Apr 12, 2016

#7/8#

Explanation:

To visualize the problem more clearly, first convert all values into a decimal.

#-2/3color(white)(XXXXXXXXXXXX)7/8#

#=-0.bar6color(white)(XXXXXXXXX)=0.875#

List all your values out.

  • #0.75#
  • #-0.bar6#
  • #-0.4#
  • #0.875#

Since you are determining which values are farthest from zero , you can omit the "negative" sign in front of the values that have one.

  • #0.75#
  • #0.bar6#
  • #0.4#
  • #0.875#

The value that is farthest from zero will be the largest decimal in the list.

Thus, #0.875#, or #7/8#, is the largest decimal, so it is the farthest from zero.