Thread: modulus

there's three point on a graph.
pointA(6,4), point B(-k,2), point C(-5,4).
the question wants to find the area of the triangle formed by this three point and express it in terms of k.
thus,
area of the triangle formed = -11-4k
since area has to be positive, so i put modulus? = |-11-k| in order to get positive answer.

but |m|= +-m. true?

so, what is answer the area of the triangle? if i did not use modulus, area of the triangle might be negative. but if i use modulus,|m|= +-m.

confused!

Originally Posted by z1llch

there's three point on a graph.
pointA(6,4), point B(-k,2), point C(-5,4).
the question wants to find the area of the triangle formed by this three point and express it in terms of k.
thus,
area of the triangle formed = -11-4k
since area has to be positive, so i put modulus? = |-11-k| in order to get positive answer.

but |m|= +-m. true?

so, what is answer the area of the triangle? if i did not use modulus, area of the triangle might be negative. but if i use modulus,|m|= +-m.

confused!

I haven't checked your answer.

But |m|= + - m, that is true.
However, it is always positive.
Indeed, if m is positive, then |m|=+m. If m is negative, |m|=-m, which is positive.