How are relative dating and absolute dating different? Question options: Relative dating can only give the date within a million years or so, while absolute dating can give the exact date to within days. Relative dating can give the age of a rock layer within years, while absolute dating can give the age within days. Relative dating can only tell whether one rock layer came before or after another, while absolute dating can give the age in years. Relative dating can give the age in years, while absolute dating can only tell whether one rock layer came before or after another.