document.write( "Question 972477: If x is less than or equal to 7, then the absolute value of the expression x-7 = ?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The answer is -x+7. I solved it by removing the absolute value bars, which gave me x-7, and -(x-7) = -x+7.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "But, I don't understand what this means. Can anyone explain this to me? What does it mean and why? \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Thank you for any help anyone can give.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #594879 by josgarithmetic(39617)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If x is less than or equal to 7, then the absolute value of the expression x-7 = ?
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\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"x%3C=7\",
\n" ); document.write( "Allows x to be assigned as any of 7 or less than 7.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Try a step:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x-7%3C=7-7\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x-7%3C=0\",
\n" ); document.write( "again, for any x less than 7, this expression on the left will be less than zero, and this is expected as first given condition, \"x is less than or equal to 7...\".\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Next part:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"abs%28x-7%29=what\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Already established, is that \"x%3C=7\"; which means, x-7 WILL BE NEGATIVE, or in other words, x-7<0, or may be zero.
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\n" ); document.write( "Thinking carefully of the meaning of absolute value, for \"x-7%3C=0\", \"abs%28x-7%29=-%28x-7%29\";
\n" ); document.write( "Again, you need to think through the meaning of absolute value; and drawing this graphed on a number line will help, if needed.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Try this thought:
\n" ); document.write( "Let p be a positive real number.
\n" ); document.write( "\"abs%28p%29=p\", nothing too complicated. p is p units away from zero on the number line, and because p was given as POSITIVE, p is p units TO THE RIGHT OF ZERO.
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\n" ); document.write( "\"-p\" is also p units AWAY FROM 0 on the number line but \"-p\" is to the left of zero.
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\n" ); document.write( "\"abs%28-p%29\"-----------What about this?
\n" ); document.write( "\"abs%28-p%29=-%28-p%29\", because \"-p\" is negative.
\n" ); document.write( "\"abs%28-p%29=-%28-p%29=p\".
\n" ); document.write( "p is a positive number, and -p is a negative number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Try examening on your own this one:
\n" ); document.write( "Let r be a negative real number, or let r be real number such that \"r%3C0\".
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\n" ); document.write( "What is \"abs%28r%29\" ?
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