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Discuss the difference between |-12| and -12

User Dawson
by
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2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

See below.

Explanation:

-12 is simply the number -12. It is a negative number. It is located 12 units to the left of zero on the number line (where right of zero is positive, and left of zero is negative).

|-12| is "absolute value of -12"

The absolute value of a number is the distance the number is from zero on the number line. A distance can be zero or a positive number, but never a negative number. The distance from the number -12 to 0 on the number line is 12 units. The absolute value of -12 is 12. The absolute value of a number is non-negative. That means it can be zero or positive, but it cannot be negative.

User Dreambold
by
5.1k points
6 votes

Answer:

The sign inside the absolute value would change it from negative to positive.

Explanation:

User Joseph Silber
by
6.2k points
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