Final answer:
The expression |8| + |-7| is equivalent to the sum of the absolute values of 8 and -7, which gives us 8 + 7 = 15.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked for the equivalent expression of |8| + |-7|. The absolute value of a number is the distance of the number from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. Therefore, the absolute value of 8 is 8, and the absolute value of -7 is 7. Adding these together:
|8| = 8
|-7| = 7
|8| + |-7| = 8 + 7 = 15
The correct answer is b. 15.