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Absolute value speaks to the question of "how far," and not "which way." The phrase how far implies length, and length is always a nonnegative (zero or positive) quantity. Thus, the absolute value of a number is a nonnegative number. This is shown in the following examples:
.
The quantity on the left side of the equal sign is read as "negative the absolute value of 5." The absolute value of 5 is 5. Hence, negative the absolute value of 5 is
.
.
The quantity on the left side of the equal sign is read as "negative the absolute value of
." The absolute value of
is 3. Hence, negative the absolute value of
is
.
The problems in the first example may help to suggest the following algebraic definition of absolute value. The definition is interpreted below. Examples follow the interpretation.
The algebraic definition takes into account the fact that the number could be either positive or zero or negative .
Use the algebraic definition of absolute value to find the following values.
.
The number enclosed within the absolute value bars is a nonnegative number so the first part of the definition applies. This part says that the absolute value of 8 is 8 itself.
.
The number enclosed within absolute value bars is a negative number so the second part of the definition applies. This part says that the absolute value of
is the opposite of
, which is
. By the double-negative property,
.
Use the algebraic definition of absolute value to find the following values.
For the following problems, determine each of the values.
A Mission Control Officer at Cape Canaveral makes the statement "lift-off, minus 50 seconds." How long before lift-off?
Due to a slowdown in the industry, a Silicon Valley computer company finds itself in debt . Use absolute value notation to describe this company's debt.
A particular machine is set correctly if upon action its meter reads 0 units. One particular machine has a meter reading of upon action. How far is this machine off its correct setting?
( [link] ) Write the following phrase using algebraic notation: "four times ."
( [link] ) Is there a smallest natural number? If so, what is it?
( [link] ) Name the property of real numbers that makes a true statement.
commutative property of addition
( [link] ) Find the quotient of .
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