document.write( "Question 254575: Suppose a is a negative real number. Determine if the following is a positive or negative number:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "a) –a b) │-a│ c) -│a│ d) -(-a) e) -│-a│\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I am totally confused about absolute values and do not understand this question. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #186907 by solver91311(24713) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If

is a negative real number, then

must be a positive real number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Let's look at the definition of absolute value:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "

\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "When you read this definition, read

as \"the opposite\" of

rather than \"negative\"

or \"minus\"

. I find it much less confusing to think of it in this way.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Part b is

. In part a of the problem we established that

must be a positive real number. Looking at the definition of absolute value -- if the thing inside of the absolute value bars is positive, then the value of the absolute value function is identical to the value of the thing inside. Since

is positive, the absolute value of

must be

which is positive.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Part c. First determine

. We know

to be negative, therefore, using the definition, the absolute value of

must be the opposite of

. From part a of the problem we know that

is a positive number. Hence

is positive. But part c asks for

. This is the opposite of a positive number, i.e. a negative number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Part d. We know from part a that

is a positive number. Part d asks for the opposite of a positive number, to wit, a negative number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Part e. We know from part b that

is a positive number. Just like in part d, the opposite of a positive number is a negative number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "John
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