How can you rewrite expressions using the definition of absolute value?

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In summary, absolute value is a mathematical concept that represents the distance of a number from 0 on a number line, always resulting in a positive value. To find the absolute value of a number, simply remove the negative sign if the number is negative. The symbol for absolute value is two vertical bars surrounding the number. Absolute value cannot be negative and is commonly used in fields such as physics, engineering, and economics to represent quantities such as distance, velocity, and error, as well as determine the magnitude of a vector in mathematics.
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mathdad
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The definition of absolute value states the following:

| x | = x when x is > or = 0

| x | = -x when x < 0

I can use the above definition to rewrite expressions that do not contain absolute values.

| -sqrt{3} - sqrt{5} |

Since the expression in the absolute value is less than 0, we can say -(-sqrt{3} - sqrt{5}), which becomes
sqrt{3} + sqrt{5}.

Correct?
 
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Yes, that is correct.
 

FAQ: How can you rewrite expressions using the definition of absolute value?

What is absolute value?

Absolute value is a mathematical concept that represents the distance of a number from 0 on a number line. It is always a positive value, regardless of the sign of the number.

How do you find the absolute value of a number?

To find the absolute value of a number, you can simply remove the negative sign if the number is negative. If the number is positive, the absolute value will remain the same.

What is the symbol for absolute value?

The symbol for absolute value is two vertical bars surrounding the number, like |4|.

Can absolute value be negative?

No, absolute value cannot be negative. It is always represented as a positive value.

What are some real-life applications of absolute value?

Absolute value is commonly used in fields such as physics, engineering, and economics to represent quantities such as distance, velocity, and error. It can also be used to determine the magnitude of a vector in mathematics.

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