Give the values \(a\) and \(-a\), each is the same distance \(a\) from zero. The distance from zero is the absolute value of the number.
In general: \(| a | = a\), if \(a ≥ 0\)
\(|a| = -a\) if \(a < 0\), note that -a represents a positive number
Try this:
1. If \(|x | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
2. If \(|x–3 | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
3. If \(|2x–3 | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
4. If \(|x| = -5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
