A heron is perched in a tree 50 feet above sea level. Directly below the heron, a pelican is flying 17 feet above sea level. Directly below the birds is a trout, swimming 23 feet below sea level.
Select all the statements that are true:
A. The difference in height between the pelican and the heron is -33 feet
B. The difference in height between the pelican and the heron is 33 feet
C. The distance between the heights of the pelican and heron is -33 feet
D. The difference in height between the pelican and the trout is -40 feet
E. The difference in height between the pelican and the trout is 40 feet
F. The distance between the heights of the pelican and the trout is 40 feet.

Use positive integers for the heights above sea level and negative integers for heights below sea level. This means that the zero reference is sea level.

Position description Height (feet)

Heron perched at 50 ft above sea level 50

Pelican flying 17 ft above sea level 17

Trout swimming 23 ft below sea level - 23

Select all the statements that are true:

A. The difference in height between the pelican and the heron is -33 feet

TRUE

The difference is 17ft - 50ft = - 33ft

B. The difference in height between the pelican and the heron is 33 feet

FALSE

As shown above the difference is - 33ft

C. The distance between the heights of the pelican and heron is -33 feet

FALSE

The distance is a positive number; it is the absolute value of the difference. So, it is | -33ft| = 33 ft

D. The difference in height between the pelican and the trout is -40 feet

FALSE

The difference is 17ft - (-23ft) = 17 ft + 23ft = 40ft

E. The difference in height between the pelican and the trout is 40 feet

TRUE

As shown above the difference is 40 ft.

F. The distance between the heights of the pelican and the trout is 40 feet.

TRUE

The distance is the absolute value of the difference: | - 40ft| = 40ft