5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
Absolute Value basics
This topic has expert replies
-
revoltangel
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:11 am
- Location: california
I need help knowing the basic rule of absolute values. I've always been taught that anything inside the " | x | " absolute value sign always comes out positive. I am learning that is not always the case. What should I know about absolute value when it comes to the GMAT? Thx
-
cramya
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 2467
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:14 pm
- Thanked: 331 times
- Followed by:11 members
Revolt,
|x| is never negative
By defnition:
If x is positive or 0 then |x| = x
If x is neagtive then |x| = -x (negative(negative) = positive here x is negative)
Eg:
Let x=-2
|x| = |-2| by defnition = - x = - (- 2) = 2
|x| is never negative
By defnition:
If x is positive or 0 then |x| = x
If x is neagtive then |x| = -x (negative(negative) = positive here x is negative)
Eg:
Let x=-2
|x| = |-2| by defnition = - x = - (- 2) = 2
Can u help me understand what u meant above just so we are on the same page?I am learning that is not always the case
Last edited by cramya on Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
Ian Stewart
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2621
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 am
- Location: Montreal
- Thanked: 1090 times
- Followed by:355 members
- GMAT Score:780
Well, that's almost true: |x| can also be equal to zero. Of course, absolute value measures a distance, so it can never be negative.cramya wrote:Revolt,
|x| is always positive
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com
ianstewartgmat.com
ianstewartgmat.com
