Final Answer:
The absolute value equation below has 20 implies that the absolute value of an expression is equal to 20, indicating two possible solutions: the expression could be either positive 20 or negative 20. Thus the correct option is 5.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "The absolute value equation below has 20" suggests that the absolute value of an expression equals 20. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, and when that absolute value is set equal to 20, it means the expression could be either 20 or -20, as both values are at a distance of 20 units from zero. Therefore, the correct choice is (5) 20.
Mathematically, the absolute value equation can be represented as |expression| = 20. This equation has two possible solutions: the expression could be equal to 20 or -20. In symbolic terms, this can be expressed as x = 20 or x = -20, where x represents the unknown expression within the absolute value. This duality arises because the distance from zero can be in either the positive or negative direction on the number line.
Understanding absolute value equations is essential in mathematics, as they often appear in various contexts, including algebra and calculus. The concept of absolute value provides a way to express the magnitude of a quantity without considering its direction. In this case, the solution to the absolute value equation indicates that the expression being considered could have a value of either positive 20 or negative 20, satisfying the given condition.