Step by step
The question
Question: work out |−5| + |3 − 7|.
|−5| + |3 − 7|
1 Inside the bars
The bars work like brackets.
They come first.
Order: ( ) → x² √ → × ÷ → + −
We take away more than we have.
Start at 3.
Go down 7.
We pass 0 and land on −4.
= |−5| + |−4|
2 Absolute value
| | = how far from 0
The bars mean: how far from 0?
That is never negative.
So |−5| is 5.
= 5 + |−4|
So |−4| is 4.
= 5 + 4
3 Plus and minus
5 plus 4 is 9.
= 9
So the answer is 9.
Let's look back.
First: inside the bars.
Then: absolute value.
Last: plus and minus.
Answer
= 9