Question

How do you evaluate `abs(15)-abs(-1)`?

Answer 1

14

Explanation:

The symbol surrounding the numbers is called " absolute value ". Its function is to make whatever number it contains positive.

This means that:

`|15|=15`

And that:

`|-1|=1`

From this, we can solve the equation:

`|15|-|-1|=15-1=14`

Note:

The operation (`-`) would not have been affected by the absolute value sign even if it was contained within one. Had the sign encompassed the whole equation: `|15-(-1)|`, then the two negatives would have formed a `+`, so that `|15+1|=|16|`. The absolute value would then act on the positive `16`, keeping it positive.