Answer
$\mid b-a \mid$; $7$
Work Step by Step
The Distance between points on a real line uses the formula:
$d(a,b) = \mid b-a \mid$
Now we are given the question to solve the distance between -5 and 2. We plugin -5 as a and 2 as b.
$d(-5,2) = \mid 2-(-5) \mid$
Then, we distribute the minus sign to the -5. Since a negative times a negative is a positive, a will become a positive 5.
$d(-5,2) = \mid 2+5 \mid$
Add the two numbers.
$d(-5,2) = \mid 7 \mid$
The absolute of the number 7 will still be a positive 7.
$d(-5,2) = 7$
