Absolute value is a mathematical term which indicates you should ignore the sign when ascertaining the value of a number. You can think of it as the absolute value of a number is calculated by determining how far a number is from zero on a number line. The absolute value of -7, written as |-7|, is equal to 7. The absolute value of 9, written as |9|, is equal to 9. You can multiply with absolute values by ignoring the sign and multiplying the numbers as you normally would.
Instructions
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1
Identify the absolute value of the numbers or factors to be multiplied. Remember that you need to ignore the sign to arrive at the absolute value. For example, if you are going to multiply |-11| and |15|, you will replace those factors with "11" and "15."
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2
Multiply the factors together. In this example, you would multiply 11 by 15.
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3
Arrive at the correct answer or product. The product of 11 and 15 is 165, so the answer to the equation of |-11| times |15| is 165.