Operations with Numbers
Absolute value is simple - it's just the distance from zero on a number line. For example, |-4| = 4 and |3.5| = 3.5 because they're both positive distances from zero. And |0| = 0 because zero is zero!
When adding real numbers, remember that combining negative numbers gives you a more negative result. For instance, -12 + = -26. But when you add a negative and positive number, they can cancel each other out, like -0.3 + 0.7 = 0.4.
Finding the opposite of a number means changing its sign. If x = -6, then -x = 6. If x = 1/2, then -x = -1/2.
Quick Tip: When subtracting numbers, you can rewrite it as addition with an opposite. For example, 6 - 13 becomes 6 + = -7.
With exponents, pay attention to parentheses! ² means square the negative number (36), while -6² means the negative of the square . Even exponents of negative numbers give positive results, while odd exponents preserve the negative sign.
