Question 637657: Here is the problem:
The solution set of which of the following equations is the set of real numbers that are 5 units from -3?
I know that it ends up being |x+3|=5. However, why does the negative 3 become +3 in the equation?
Thank you.
Answer by MathLover1(20850)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The absolute-value notation is bars, not parentheses or brackets.
Use the proper notation; the other notations do not mean the same thing.
It is important to note that the absolute value bars do NOT work in the same way as do parentheses.
Whereas –(–3) = +3, this is NOT how it works for absolute value:
Simplify –| –3 |.
Given –| –3 |, I first handle the absolute value part, taking the positive and converting the absolute value bars to parentheses:
–| –3 | = –(+3)
Now I can take the negative through the parentheses:
–| –3 | = –(3) = –3
As this illustrates, if you take the negative of an absolute value, you will get a negative number for your answer.
|
|
|
