Predict the result
Evaluate the negative of the absolute value of p, when p is negative fourteen.
Will this expression be positive, zero, or negative?
The minus outside the bars is a separate operation.

Set up the model
Absolute value is distance from zero, and distance is nonnegative.
The absolute value of zero equals zero.
An outside minus takes the opposite of the distance.

Work the example
Substitute negative fourteen for p.
The absolute value of negative fourteen equals fourteen.
Now apply the outside minus.
The negative of the absolute value of negative fourteen equals negative fourteen.
This is the source result, negative fourteen.

Check the result
Try the same lesson's first Try It, part d.
Evaluate the negative of the absolute value of p when p is negative eleven.
Find the distance before applying the outside minus.
Think before the answer appears.
[Eight-second silent pause to work; the answer remains hidden.]
The absolute value of negative eleven equals eleven.
Then take its opposite.
The negative of the absolute value of negative eleven equals negative eleven.

Interpret the result
Absolute value itself can be zero, but cannot be negative.
The outside minus makes the final result negative in these two examples.
Keep substitution, distance, and taking the opposite as separate steps.