Which of the following algorithms displays the correct distance for all possible values of num1 and num2?
A) Step 1: Add num1 and num2 and store the result in the variable sum.
Step 2: Take the absolute value of sum and display the result.
B) Step 1: Subtract num1 from num2 and store the result in the variable diff.
Step 2: Take the absolute value of diff and display the result.
C) Step 1: Take the absolute value of num1 and store it in the variable absNum1.
Step 2: Take the absolute value of num2 and store it in the variable absNum2.
Step 3: Add absNum1 and absNum2 and display the result.
D) Step 1: Take the absolute value of num1 and store it in the variable absNum1.
Step 2: Take the absolute value of num2 and store it in the variable absNum2.
Step 3: Subtract absNum1 from absNum2 and display the result.
The correct answer is B.
Explanation:
Option B accurately computes the distance between two numbers, num1 and num2, by using the formula `|num1 – num2|`, which represents the absolute difference. The absolute value of the difference will always yield a non-negative result, effectively giving the distance between the two numbers on a number line, regardless of their individual values or sign.
Option A and C add the numbers together, which does not give the correct distance, and D incorrectly subtracts the absolute values, which may not provide the correct distance either.
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