what did I do wrong (1 Viewer)

[poppyisloveinthewind]

|2|-|-5|

I got 3 to be the answer

My working

|2-|-5|
|2-5|
3

 

[dan964]

|2|-|-5|

I got 3 to be the answer

My working

|2-|-5|
|2-5|
3

Think of |x| as an operation/function with two cases
|x|=x if x>0
or -x if x<0
e.g. |-5|=5

So |2|-|-5|=2-5=-3

You cannot take negative signs outside of absolute values in the manner you have done. Evaluate the inside of the absolute value first.
In general |a|+|b| does not equal |a+b| (similarly for negative signs)

 

[poppyisloveinthewind]

Think of |x| as an operation/function with two cases
|x|=x if x>0
or -x if x<0
e.g. |-5|=5

So |2|-|-5|=2-5=-3

You cannot take negative signs outside of absolute values in the manner you have done. Evaluate the inside of the absolute value first.
In general |a|+|b| does not equal |a+b| (similarly for negative signs)

oh wait dont worry I know my problem now

Thanks