BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Hey--Any Inputs would be great

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:15 am
dddanny2006 wrote:Hey Guys,

I have a small confusion here.Can anybody please explain what does a positive difference between a and b means.I seem to have understood it,but the same doubt keeps creeping in my head.

Thank you.

Dan
The positive difference between a and b is equal to the DISTANCE between a and b: |a-b|.
If a=2 and b=3, the positive difference = |2-3| = |-1| = 1.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:46 am
Thanked: 94 times
Followed by:7 members

by mevicks » Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:27 am
positive difference between a and b = distance between a and b on the number line OR absolute value of |a - b|

If you knew which number was bigger then you would not require the mod sign (if a > b then a - b is the positive difference)

In fact differences are always positive :)
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:40 pm
Hi dddanny2006,

Both Mitch and mevicks have provided the technical math definition to your question. Here's a bit simpler of a way to think about it:

Take two numbers, say 2 and 5. What COULD the difference between these two numbers be?

2 - 5 = -3

5 - 2 = +3

Since you're asking about the POSITIVE DIFFERENCE, then the answer must be +3

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
Followed by:119 members
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:52 pm
Just to emphasize an earlier remark - there is no such thing as negative difference! (That would mean that a number is less different than 0 from itself, or more like itself than itself.)

"Positive difference between a and b" = "difference between a and b" = |a - b|
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1