Question

Given that |a-2| = 9 and |w-1| = 6, where a < 0 and w < 0, what is the value of aw? Please help and explain.

Answer 1

| a - 2 | = 9

a - 2 = + OR - 9

1 solution:

a - 2 = 9 Add 2 to both sides

a - 2 + 2 = 9 + 2

a = 11

2 solution:

a - 2 = - 9 Add 2 to both sides

a - 2 + 2 = - 9 + 2

a = - 7


| w - 1 | = 6

w - 1 = + OR - 6

1 solution:

w - 1 = 6 Add 1 to both sides

w - 1 = 6 + 1

w = 7

2 solution:

w - 1 = - 6 Add 1 to both sides

w - 1 + 1 = - 6 + 1

w = - 5


a < 0 and w < 0 mean:

You use negative value of a and negative value of w

so:

a w

for negative values a and b:

a w = - 7 * ( - 5 ) = 35