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To find out whether the answer to the equation is one-eighth or negative one-eighth, we will need to solve the equation step by step:
1. Start with the given equation: |a| - 3/4 = -5/8.

2. Add 3/4 to both sides of the equation: |a| = -5/8 + 3/4.

3. Simplify the right side of the equation: -5/8 + 3/4 = -5/8 + 6/8 = 1/8.

4. Now we have |a| = 1/8. To solve for a, we need to consider both the positive and negative case for the absolute value.

5. Positive case: a = 1/8. This means that if a equals 1/8, the equation holds true.

6. Negative case: a = -1/8. If a equals -1/8, the equation still holds true.

Therefore, the answer to the equation |a| - 3/4 = -5/8 can be either one-eighth (1/8) or negative one-eighth (-1/8).

To solve the equation |a| - 3/4 = -5/8, follow these steps:

1. Start with the given equation: |a| - 3/4 = -5/8.
2. Add 3/4 to both sides: |a| = -5/8 + 3/4.
3. Simplify: -5/8 + 3/4 = 1/8.
4. Consider both the positive and negative cases for the absolute value: a = 1/8 or a = -1/8.
Therefore, the answer to the equation |a| - 3/4 = -5/8 can be 1/8 or -1/8.