Question

Maria was sick with the flu, and her weight change as a result of it is represented by −4 pounds. How much weight did Maria lose?

Answer 1

4 pounds.

Explanation:

By how much weight did Maria lose we mean the magnitude of the loss, and this always have to be a positive number. If the weight change is represented by -4 pounds, where the - is representing loss, it means that the quantity lost, or how much weight was lost, is 4 pounds.