document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=157420>Question 157420</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If r =2 and s = -7, what is the value of |r|-|s|?     5, or -5 , or 9 or -9\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Is this 2-7 = -5 or 2- -7= 9?   What does the bars mean i.e. are they like brackets? Most kids think the ans. is -5 but can't tll me why? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #116011 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=gonzo><B>gonzo(654)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-11.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=gonzo><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=116011\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <BR>\n" );
document.write( "the bars mean absolute value of.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if you say |x| = 7, this is the same as saying the absolute value of x = 7.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if a number is positive then the absolute value of that number is positive.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if a number is negative then the absolute value of that number is the same number with a reversal of sign to make it positive.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "|+7| = 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "|-7| = +7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "in your example you ask for the value of |r| - |s|.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "r = 2, so |r| = 2.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "s = -7 so |s| = 7.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "|r|-|s| means the absolute value of r minus the absolute value of s.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "this means (+2) - (+7) which equals -5.<BR>\n" );
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