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Algebra 17 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Explain the difference between |-3| and -3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Well I know that |-3| can represent an absolute value graph if you have something for it to plot with, I.E an equation with it. -3 just stays on the y-axis

hero (hero):

|-3| means distance between -3 and 0 along the number line. Distance is always positive and the distance between -3 and 0 is 3 units. -3 is just -3.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

the difference is 6

OpenStudy (anonymous):

absolute value is the distance from zero. so it doesn't care if you are left of the 0 or to the right of the 0, absolute value just wants to know how far away and we always count in positive numbers.

hero (hero):

I think @Satellite73 interpreted it as as a math expression: |-3| - (-3) = 3 + 3 = 6

OpenStudy (solomonzelman):

I-3I is positive ljust like any IxI , and -3 is negative

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