Question

Given a = 4 and b = -2, evaluate -|b - a|. Please help!

Answer 1

The answer is:  - 6 .
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Evaluate the value INSIDE the "bars". 
  b - a  =  -2  -  4  = -6 .  The absolute value of the value inside inside the bars is the "positive" number of that value.  The value is negative 6; so, the absolute value, or "magnitude", of "-6", is "6";  Then, then "-" (6) = -6.  So the answer is: -6 .
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