Question

The equation |p| = 2 represents the total number of points that can be earned or lost during one turn of a game. Which best describes how many points can be earned or lost during one turn?

Answer 1

The number of points that can be earned is 2 while the number that can be lost during one turn is -2

Explanation:

The two vertical parallel lines in the equation represent the absolute value symbol. The symbol can be replaced with the positive and negative signs in the right hand side of the equation, that is the equation can be re=written as; p = ±2. The 2 points that can be earned has the positive sign while the 2 that can be lost has the negative sign.

Answer 2

-2 or 2.

Explanation:

We have been given an equation
`|p|=2`, which represents the total number of points that can be earned or lost during one turn of a game.

Since absolute value of a number is the distance between the number and the origin. Absolute value of a number determines how far a number is from zero (origin) on the number line.

Using definition of absolute value function we will get,

`p=-2\text{ or } p=2`

Therefore, -2 or 2 describes the number of points that can be earned or lost during one turn.