You can
put this solution on YOUR website!
From what you've said, it seems you have this:
P H
-------●--------------●---
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
You could rename the point H as Q where H is at 3 and then the
distance from P to Q would be 5 units, and the segment PQ would
be 5. Like this:
P Q
-------●--------------●---
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Or you could extend the number line on the left and put Q at -7
and then the distance from P to Q would be 5, and the segment PQ
would be 5.
Like this:
Q P H
●--------------●--------------●---
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Edwin