Kale is hiking 2,345 feet above sea level. the peak of the mountain he is climbing is 3,283 feet above sea level. what is the vertical distance between kale and the mountain peak?

Think of above sea level as the positive numbers on the number line. Think of sea level as your starting point (zero). The higher we are above sea level, the higher the number. So the mountain peak is higher than Kale's position.
Vertical difference is the up and down / top to bottom difference.

To find the difference between Kale's location and the mountain peak, subtract Kale's position from the height of the mountain peak.

= 3,283 - 2,345

= 938 feet

ANSWER: The vertical difference between Kale's position and the mountain peak is 938 feet.

Hope this helps! :)