The extremes in temperature in the continental United states were 134 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in California on July 10,1913 and - 80 degrees Fahrenheit recorded on January 23,1971. Which of the temperatures represents a smaller value? Explain.

The temperature that represents a smaller value would be the one with negative eighty (or - 80) degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is negative, the value of 80 does not mean it has a smaller value as to 134 degrees. It is just that the difference between the absolute values of the two show that 134 degrees Fahrenheit has a bigger value.