Find each sum or difference. 16 - | -13|

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the absolute value expression: $|-13|$.
2. Recall that the absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, which is always non-negative.
3. Calculate the absolute value: $|-13|=13$.
4. Substitute the absolute value back into the expression: $16-13$.
5. Perform the subtraction: $16-13$.

Key Concepts

Absolute Value

Absolute value refers to the distance of a number from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. It is denoted by vertical bars, such as |x|. For example, |-13| equals 13, as it measures the distance of -13 from 0.

Arithmetic Operations

Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In this question, we are specifically dealing with subtraction, where we take one number away from another. Understanding how to perform these operations correctly is essential for solving the problem.

Order of Operations

The order of operations is a set of rules that dictates the sequence in which calculations should be performed to ensure consistent results. The common acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) helps remember this order. In this case, we first evaluate the absolute value before performing the subtraction.