basic coordinate geometry question

[Legault]

How do I solve |-3-2|-|-7|
This is the first time I've had to do an equation like this, I'm not quite certain if you multiply |-3-2| or if you add them together.

 

[o_O]

Well there's no equation per se but if you mean evaluating that, what part of the question don't you understand? First, do you know what |-4| means?

 

[Legault]

I'm totally in the dark, not sure what the |-4| is representing and moreover what I'm to do if there are 2 numbers, as opposed to one between the lines.

 

[o_O]

Ok so you don't know what the double strokes mean. Basically, you take the positive value of whatever is inside the two strokes. Some basic examples:
|-5| = 5
|8| = 8
|-(-6)| = |+6| = 6

You get the idea.

 

[Legault]

Ok, so I now know that |-4| is an absolute value that is -4 from zero. yay

 

[o_O]

Well, the distance from -4 to 0 on the number line but yeah, basically the positive value of whatever is inbetween the strokes.

 

[pka]

How do I solve |-3-2|-|-7|

I cannot figure out what the others are on about.
BUT |-3-2|-|-7|=5-7=-2.