SOLUTION: I looked through all the promblems and can't find any like these two. I think I may be over thinnking these because one is absolute value but the other is just ( ). I am trying t

Algebra ->  Absolute-value -> SOLUTION: I looked through all the promblems and can't find any like these two. I think I may be over thinnking these because one is absolute value but the other is just ( ). I am trying t      Log On


   

Question 136927: I looked through all the promblems and can't find any like these two. I think I may be over thinnking these because one is absolute value but the other is just ( ). I am trying to review for a test so there aren't any answers and my friend came up with a different answer. Please help!
0-(-5)=5 I think it is 5 my friend says -5 but I thought in regular problems the negatives cancel each other out. Who is right?
The second question is absolute value and I know that is always positive so I think the answer should be 21 because I am adding but my friend says the minus sign stays a minus sign so the answer is 3. That makes sense but I just need another opinion. Thanks a ton!
the absolute value of 12 minus the absolute value of -9
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are correct. 0 - (-5) equals 5.
abs%2812%29+-+abs%28-9%29+
12+-+9+
3
The problem you are having is that the absolute value of any number is always positive. So the abs changes the (-9) to a positive 9. Then subtracting 9 from 12 leaves a difference of 3.
Good luck on your test