Evaluating , , and for Given Values
When an absolute value expression contains a variable, substitute the given value and then apply the absolute value. Pay close attention to whether a negative sign sits inside or outside the absolute value bars, because the placement determines the sign of the result.
Inside the bars — always non-negative:
- when : Substitute to get . Since is units from zero, .
- when : Substitute to get . Simplify the double negative: .
Outside the bars — always non-positive:
- when : Substitute to get . The absolute value gives , then the outside negative makes it .
- when : Substitute to get . The absolute value gives , then the outside negative makes it .
Notice: The expression is the negative (opposite) of a distance, so it is always zero or negative — the outside minus sign is never "absorbed" by the absolute value bars.
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