I suck at Math. Just took an online Quiz. I got two problems wrong that I don't understand how. Hoping someone can explain or help me understand why. I think I am not understanding the "[ ]" symbol (sorry I don't know how to make a perfect straight line with my keyboard).

1) [-1]+2x7 - 9x-7 = -30 (I put -32)


2) [-19] + 6x6 + (6 - 7) = 54 (I put 16)

EDITED

This post was edited by The_Doves on May 19 2013 05:18am

1) [-1] + 14 - 9x - 7 = -30
-1 + 14 - 9x - 7 = -30
13 - 9x - 7 = -30
6 - 9x = -30
-9x = -36
9x = 36
x = 36/9
x = 4

2) Did you write question two right? The "6x6". Are you sure it's 6 multiplied by 6 = 36 and not 6x6=36x ??

Yes, the "x"'s in my problems are multiplication symbols. Sorry. And the 6x6 was 6 squared in the problem, obviously I don't have a "key" for that. And, the number after the = signs IS the correct answer, according to the quiz.


Also, the " [ ] " are Absolute Value Bars. Obviously, I don't have a key for that either. I didn't know what they were called earlier, sorry.

This post was edited by The_Doves on May 19 2013 06:28am

This is a pic of the exact way it was shown for both problems. To make it a little easier.

the | key is right above enter on my keyboard (hold shift)

|-1| + 2*7 - 9*5
1 + 14 - 45
15 - 45
=-30

|-19|+6^2 +(6-7)
19 + 36 + (-1)
19 + 36 - 1
=54


it would be more helpful if you provided your reasoning to get the numbers you got

This post was edited by carteblanche on May 19 2013 08:09am

I think I just wasn't sure that the Absolute Value bars basically mean that all numbers inside are always greater than or equal to zero.