Solve the Absolute Value Expression: -|23| = ?

Q: Why isn't the answer just 23 since absolute value is always positive?

Great observation! The absolute value |23| = 23 is indeed positive. But look carefully - there's a negative sign outside the absolute value bars. So we get: -|23| = -(23) = -23.

Q: What's the difference between -|23| and |-23|?

-|23| = -23 (negative outside) but |-23| = 23 (negative inside). The placement of the negative sign makes all the difference!

Q: Does the negative sign change how I find absolute value?

No! Always find the absolute value first: |23| = 23. Then apply whatever operation is outside the bars. Think of it like parentheses in order of operations.

Q: Can absolute value ever give a negative result?

Never! Absolute value always gives 0 or positive. But operations outside the absolute value bars (like negative signs) can make the final answer negative.

Q: How do I remember the order of operations here?

Think: Inside first, outside second. Just like with parentheses, you handle what's inside the absolute value bars first, then apply any signs or operations outside.

Absolute Value Operations with Negative Signs

$-\left|23\right| =$

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$-\left|23\right| =$

Step-by-step solution

To solve the expression $-\left|23\right|$ , first find the absolute value of $23$ .

The absolute value of a number is the distance between the number and zero on the number line, so $\left|23\right| = 23$ .

Then apply the negative sign: $-\left|23\right| = -23$ .

Hence, the correct answer is $-23$ .

Final Answer

$-23$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Absolute value always gives a non-negative result
Technique: First find |23| = 23, then apply negative: -|23| = -23
Check: Distance from zero is 23, then negative makes it -23 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Ignoring the negative sign outside absolute value bars
Don't think -|23| = 23 because absolute value is always positive! The negative sign is OUTSIDE the bars, so it applies AFTER finding |23| = 23. Always apply operations in correct order: absolute value first, then the negative sign.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Determine the absolute value of the following number:

$\left|18\right|=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why isn't the answer just 23 since absolute value is always positive?

Great observation! The absolute value |23| = 23 is indeed positive. But look carefully - there's a negative sign outside the absolute value bars. So we get: -|23| = -(23) = -23.

What's the difference between -|23| and |-23|?

-|23| = -23 (negative outside) but |-23| = 23 (negative inside). The placement of the negative sign makes all the difference!

Does the negative sign change how I find absolute value?

No! Always find the absolute value first: |23| = 23. Then apply whatever operation is outside the bars. Think of it like parentheses in order of operations.

Can absolute value ever give a negative result?

Never! Absolute value always gives 0 or positive. But operations outside the absolute value bars (like negative signs) can make the final answer negative.

How do I remember the order of operations here?

Think: Inside first, outside second. Just like with parentheses, you handle what's inside the absolute value bars first, then apply any signs or operations outside.

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