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# What is an Absolute Value?

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What is an absolute value? I don't understand it. Can you please explain it to me?

Use mental math to solve the equation. If there is no solution, write no solution.

Question 1) |x| = 1.5

Question 2) |x| = 1/6

Question 3) |x| = -4

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014

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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.

Stu  Aug 2, 2014
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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??

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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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?

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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?

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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Think about 2, again......we should have two answers.......what two numbers are 1.6 units from zero??....one is positive....one is negative......

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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Is this the answer?

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

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

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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???

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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What is the difference??????????

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

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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Excellent answer on the "parachute" question....sorry....I was posting my answer while you were posting yours!!!

I think you understand it !!!

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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oKay. Can you help me on this one?

Finding Absolute Value Evaluate the expression.

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

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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......

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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Is it $${\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$, or is it $${\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$?

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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 ???

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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$${\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\frac{{\mathtt{8}}}{{\mathtt{9}}}}$$

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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Yep.......you got it!!!!

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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YAY!! So everytime that there is a negative in front of |x|, the answer will be a negative. Thanks, CPhill!!!!!!!

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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Either negative or 0.......

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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Okay...I got it...Now, let's close the case...

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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I always GIVE everybody points. So, no problem.

You're welcome.

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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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??"

CPhill  Aug 1, 2014
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No. I never heard of that.

DragonSlayer554  Aug 1, 2014
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## Queen of Camelot.

Melody  Aug 2, 2014
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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!!!!

CPhill  Aug 2, 2014
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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.

Stu  Aug 2, 2014
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Thanks, Stu.

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

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

DragonSlayer554  Aug 4, 2014