Solving Real-World Absolute Value Equations for 8th Graders

A temperature dropped 5 degrees from 20 degrees. What is the absolute value of the change in temperature?

• 5

• 10

• 3

• 0

A diver is 30 feet below sea level. Write an absolute value equation to represent the diver's depth. How far is the diver from sea level?

• 45 feet

• 30 feet

• 15 feet

• 60 feet

A car is traveling 60 miles per hour. If it speeds up or slows down by the same amount, what is the absolute value of the change in speed if it goes to 75 miles per hour?

• 15

• 20

• 25

• 10

The distance between two towns is represented by the equation |x - 50| = 20. What are the possible distances of town x from the reference point?

• 10, 90

• 20, 80

• 30, 70

• 40, 60

A student scored 15 points above and 15 points below the average score of 80. Write an absolute value equation to represent this situation and find the average score.

• 75

• 80

• 85

• 70

A hiker is 12 miles north of a campsite and 8 miles south of another point. Write an absolute value equation to find the total distance from the campsite to the other point.

• 15 miles

• 20 miles

• 18 miles

• 25 miles

A bank account has a balance of $200. If the balance fluctuates by $50, what is the absolute value of the fluctuation?

• 75

• 100

• 25

• 50

A roller coaster drops 40 feet from its highest point. Write an absolute value equation to represent the drop and find the distance from the highest point to the ground.

• 25 feet

• 50 feet

• 30 feet

• 40 feet

A student is 3 points away from the passing score of 70. Write an absolute value equation to find the student's score. What is the possible score?

• 67 or 73

• 70

• 66

• 74

A runner is training for a marathon and runs 5 miles more than the previous day or 5 miles less. Write an absolute value equation to represent the distance run today compared to yesterday.

• |d_today - d| = 3

• |d + d_today| = 5

• |d - d_today| = 5

• |d - d_today| = 10