SOLUTION: The difference between the temperature on the first day of the month, 𝑡1, and the temperature on the last day of the month, 74 degrees, is 6 degrees. Write an equation involving

Question 1206366: The difference between the temperature on the first day of the month, 𝑡1, and the temperature on the last day of the month, 74 degrees, is 6 degrees. Write an equation involving absolute value that represents the relationship among 𝑡1, 74 and 6.

Found 3 solutions by MathLover1, ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by MathLover1(20850)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Answer by ikleyn(52834)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

The correct answer is |t1 - 74| = 6 degrees.

From the context, this person is simply begging to give
him/her an answer in this form.

Answer by greenestamps(13203)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Valid arguments could be made for either of the answers shown by the other tutors.

If we want to be formal with the formal mathematical language, the "difference between A and B" is always A-B, not B-A. That would mean the equation is, as the one tutor showed,

But very probably the phrase was used informally, so that the temperature t1 could be 6 degrees either side of 74; in that case the equation shown by the other tutor would be correct:

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