Question

Which integer is closest to 0 on the number line?

A.
–12


B.
–8


C.
10

D.
14

Answer 1

An integer is close to zero if it is "small".

By small, we mean that it is small in absolute value. In fact, for any given distance
`d`, there are two integers that are
`d` units away from zero:
`d` and
`-d`.

So, for example, -6 is close to zero than 8, because -6 is six units away from zero, while 8 is eight units away from zero.

So, the answer is B, -8, because it is 8 units away from zero. The other options A, C and D are, respectively, 12, 10 and 14 units away from zero.