Question

evaluate the following.
(a) $|3 - 7|=$
(b) $|3|-7=$

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate value inside absolute - value for (a)

First, calculate $3 - 7=-4$. Then, find the absolute value of $-4$. The absolute value of a number $x$, denoted as $|x|$, is the non - negative value of $x$. So, $|3 - 7|=|-4| = 4$.

Step2: Calculate absolute - value and subtraction for (b)

First, find the absolute value of $3$. Since $|3| = 3$, then calculate $|3|-7=3 - 7=-4$.

Answer:

(a) 4
(b) -4