Question

A student said that since –9 is less than 4, then |–9| is less than |4|. Is the student correct? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

The student is incorrect because I I or absolute value would make the -9 to positive 9.

Explanation:

-9<4

on a numberline

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

but the absolute value of -9 (or) |–9|

is actually positive 9

9>4

on a number line

4 5 6 7 8 9