What is an Absolute Value?

The parachute can be moving in a positive dirrection if you set down to be positive. YOu can do that right? Dragon slayer you will need to give a dirrection for vectors. The negative is not enough, (right CPhill?). Vectors are x,y,z or east, south, north, west etc.

Absolute value represents the distance between a number and zero on the number line.

Thus, the absolute value of 3 = 3  and the absolute value of -3 = 3, because both are three units from zero.

So.....in your first question......x would either be 1.5 or -1.5, because both are 1.5 units from zero.

I'll let you do the second one.....it's similar to the first...just think about it........

For the third one, absolute value is NEVER negative, because "distance" is either a positive quantity (or 0). So, there is no "solution" for the last one....

Does that help??

So the answr to question 2 is $$|x|=1/6=|-1/6|=-(-1/6)=1/6$$.

Is that the way how you are supposed to do it?

Yes. It helps. 

Can you help me on something about absolute values too?

A parachutist descends at a rate of about 17 feet per second.

Question 8) What is the parachutist's velocity?

Question 9) What is the parachutist's speed?

Please help me.

Think about 2, again......we should have two answers.......what two numbers are 1.6 units from zero??....one is positive....one is negative......

Is this the answer?

$${\mathtt{Velocity}} = -{\mathtt{17}}$$ $$feet per second$$.

$${\mathtt{Speed}} = {\left|-{\mathtt{17}}\right|} = {\mathtt{17}}$$ $$feet per second$$.

Velocity is a "vector" quantity....it has both magnitude and direction....thus, since the parachutist is moving in a "downward" direction, his velocity is -17ft/s....the "-" indicates "downward" movement......

Speed is just a "scalar" .....it indicates magnitude but not direction....thus, the parachutist's speed is 17ft/s. Note that no "-" appears......

See the difference???

What is the difference??????????

And am I correct???????????

Excellent answer on the "parachute" question....sorry....I was posting my answer while you were posting yours!!!

I think you understand it !!!

oKay. Can you help me on this one?

Finding Absolute Value Evaluate the expression.

Question 32) $${\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\left|{\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}\right|}$$

Please help me!

Her's a hint.......first, take the absolute value of  -8/9

Then....whatever you have, apply the negative that is in front of the absoute value to it......

Is it $${\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$, or is it $${\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$?

If you applied the negative at the end...what should you end up with???

Think about it this way.....if    l-8/9l  = 8/9,   what should   - l-8/9l   be ???

$${\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$

Yep.......you got it!!!!

YAY!! So everytime that there is a negative in front of |x|, the answer will be a negative. Thanks, CPhill!!!!!!!

Either negative or 0.......

Okay...I got it...Now, let's close the case...

Thanks for the 40 "points" you gave me on that one , DS.......I'm not sure they were really  "40 point" answers, though !!!

Besides.......you're putting me WAY ahead of you in the "points" race......heck, if you ask a couple of more questions and keep giving me 5 points for each reply......I might even catch Melody before dark !!!

LOL!!!!

CPhill

I always GIVE everybody points. So, no problem.

You're welcome.

Hey...maybe if you give me enough points....then I'll move to the head of the list and become KING!!!

Then....we can "depose" Melody and I'll be the new RULER !!!

Think how nice that will be.....NOBODY to "bark" at you on the FORUM, anymore !!!

HIS MAJESTY, KING CPHILL....revered and feared throughout the land!!!....that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it???

AH......what foul plans we may hatch together .......!!!!!!

BTW.....did you ever read "Macbeth??"

No. I never heard of that.

Andre Massow is the King!   I am the Queen!   And thou art the Greatest of the Knights.

It is Treason for thee to suggest that thee replace the King!!

Tread carefully Sir CPhill, thou hath lost thine head once before - I see it hath regenerated.

How many heads can thou renew?  Tis this a question that you wish to answer.  For thine answer shall be closer if thee repeat these sentiments.

Tread very carefully Sir CPhill!   

Lady Guinevere.

Queen of Camelot.

Oops!!!!...it appeareth that our plan be uncovered, DS!!!

To horse, to horse, I say!!!!

Hie like the wind, DS !!!!

We shall repair to darkest wood to hatch our plots anew!!!!

Uneasy is the head that bears the tiara, my good Queen!!!!

Thanks, Stu.

I don't know of what plan you are talking about. 

And Melody, Don't you yanks know anthing!?!?!