Does it matter which way you subtract the values when you are finding the distance between two numbers on a number line? give example

Need on this geometry question. explain how you did it.

Ascientist wants to use a model to present the results of his detailed scientific investigation. why would a model be useful? a )because the model makes the concepts easier to understand b) because the model is easy to put together and to use c) because the model prevents other scientists from asking questions d) because the model requires the audience to pay full attention to it i don't know what to choose because between a and d a is much more likely than d because it only wants to get the attention of the audience. i'm confuse.

What is the value of the discriminant of the quadratic equation -2x = -8x + 8 and what does its value mean about thenumber of real number solutions the equation has?