Question

Kyle’s bank statement shows a balance of –$18.50. Which describes the magnitude, or size, of the debt in dollars?

–$37.00
–$18.50
$18.50
$37.00

Answer 1

$18.50, because the magnitude of the debt is the distance from zero.

Answer 2

C. $18.50.

Explanation:

We have been given that Kyle’s bank statement shows a balance of –$18.50. We are asked to determine the magnitude, or size, of the debt in dollars.

We know that the magnitude of a negative number is absolute value of negative number.

`\text{Magnitude of debt in dollars}=|-\$18.50|`

Since absolute value of a negative number is opposite of the number.

`\text{Magnitude of debt in dollars}=-(-\$18.50)=\$18.50`

Therefore, option C is the correct choice.