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Absolute value bars are also grouping symbols, so you must complete the operation inside them first, then take the absolute value.​

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​|5-3| = |2| = 2

Sometimes, there are positive or negative symbols outside an absolute value bar. Think inside, then outside - first take the absolute value of what is inside the bars, then apply the outside symbol.​

-​|6| = -6

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​(The absolute value of 6 is 6. Then we apply the negative symbol on the outside of the absolute value bars to get the answer -6.)

​-​|-16| = -16​

​(The absolute value of -16 is 16. Then we apply the negative symbol on the outside of the absolute value bars to get the answer -16.)