(18) Accessibility Which of the following explains why the solution of \( |x|>a \) is all real numbers if \( a \) is a negative number? If \( a \) is negative, then the absolute value quantity, which is always nonnegative, will always be less than \( a \). If \( a \) is negative, then the absolute value quantity, which is always negative, will always be less than \( a \). If \( a \) is negative, then the absolute value quantity, which is always nonnegative, will always be greater than \( a \). If \( a \) is negative, then the absolute value quantity, which is always negative, will always be greater than \( a \).

When \( a \) is a negative number, it changes the landscape of how we perceive values. The absolute value \( |x| \) represents a distance from zero, and since distances can't be negative, it holds true that \( |x| \) is always zero or positive. Thus, every value of \( |x| \) will indeed be greater than any negative number \( a \), resulting in \( |x| > a \) being satisfied by all real numbers—it’s like saying every distance is more than a step in the opposite direction! For a fun twist, think about how this applies in the real world: Consider a situation where you're measuring how far you are from your destination. If your desired distance (or target) is negative—let’s say you're considering a point before your starting position—the absolute distance you will always have (the distance from where you are to your goal) is positive. So whether you're ahead or behind, you'll always be further than that "negative" goal!