document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=637657>Question 637657</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Here is the problem:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The solution set of which of the following equations is the set of real numbers that are 5 units from  -3?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I know that it ends up being |x+3|=5. However, why does the negative 3 become +3 in the equation? \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thank you. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #401790 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=MathLover1><B>MathLover1(20850)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=MathLover1><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/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=MathLover1><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=401790\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The absolute-value notation is bars, not parentheses or brackets. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Use the proper notation; the other notations do not mean the same thing.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "It is important to note that the absolute value bars do NOT work in the same way as do parentheses. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Whereas –(–3) = +3, this is NOT how it works for absolute value:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "    Simplify –| –3 |.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "    Given –| –3 |, I first handle the absolute value part, taking the positive and converting the absolute value bars to parentheses:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "        –| –3 | = –(+3)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "    Now I can take the negative through the parentheses:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "        –| –3 | = –(3) = –3\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "As this illustrates, if you take the negative of an absolute value, you will get a negative number for your answer. </SPAN>\n" );
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