document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=354922>Question 354922</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> what do the straight lines seperating a math equation mean such as /17-12/ but with the lines being straight<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #253531 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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=253531\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> what do the straight lines seperating a math equation mean such as /17-12/ but with the lines being straight<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "They mean \"absolute value\" of 17-12<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Geometrically that means \"the distance between 17 and 12.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The answer is 5<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Note |17-12| is the same as |12-17|<BR>\n" );
document.write( "For both the answer is 5.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "====================================Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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