Explain the difference in meaning between |-3| and -3
The first is the absolute value, regardless of the sign. The second is negative.
To understand the difference in meaning between |-3| and -3, let's break it down step by step.
1. |-3|: This notation represents the absolute value. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on a number line, disregarding its sign. So, |-3| means the absolute value of -3, which is always a non-negative value. In this case, |-3| equals 3, since -3 is three units away from zero on the number line.
2. -3: This notation represents a negative number. The negative sign (-) indicates that the number is less than zero. In this case, -3 is a negative number and is three units less than zero on the number line.
In summary, |-3| and -3 have different interpretations:
|-3| represents the absolute value of -3, which is always a positive value equal to the distance of -3 from zero (in this case, 3).
-3 represents a negative number that is less than zero and is three units less than zero on the number line.