The negative on the outside of absolute value asks for the opposite of absolute value. The opposite of absolute value is always NEGATIVE

-|-5| or -|5|

Both of the questions ask how far the number is from 0. Both -5 and 5 are five spaces from 0, leaving the answer POSITIVE.

​|-5| or |5|

How to solve Absolute Valve
Yes!! You SOLVE for absolute

​5 5 -5 -5

Pay attention and TAKE YOUR TIME when solving for absolute value

The subtraction symbol and negative symbol look the same but DO NOT mean the same thing

Ex: -12 - |-3|. This problem reads -12 minus the AV of -3

-12 - 3 The problem is now -12 minus positive 3

​-12 - |-3|

This is ONLY asking about absolute value. There are no operations to solve for, so the value is negative

​-|-3| = -3

Absolute Value Problems

​-|12| - 3

The negative on the outside of absolute value is first. It reads the opposite of the absolute value of -12 minus 3. Do this first

This has absolute value AND an operation, which is subtraction. We solve for absolute value first then subtract

-12 - 3 -12 - 3