The sum p □ (□q) is the number located a distance |q| from p in the negative direction.
The symbol "□" represents an operation, and "p" and "q" represent numbers.
To find the sum p □ (□q), you need to determine the number located a distance |q| from p in the negative direction. Here are the steps to calculate it:
1. Determine the value of |q|. The symbol |q| represents the absolute value of q, which is the positive value of q regardless of its sign. For example, if q = -5, then |q| = 5.
2. Identify the negative direction. In this case, the negative direction means moving to the left on the number line.
3. Start at point p on the number line. For example, if p = 3, locate the number 3 on the number line.
4. Move |q| units to the left in the negative direction from point p. For example, if |q| = 5 and p = 3, move 5 units to the left from 3 on the number line.
5. The number located a distance |q| from p in the negative direction is the final result of p □ (□q). In our example, the number would be -2.
So, the sum p □ (□q) is -2.