Notation Question

[bomba923]

Which is "simpler"?---i.e., considered more "simplfied" ?

$$\left| k \right| = 5$$ OR $$k = \pm 5$$ ?

 

[Zurtex]

It's really about relevance. For example if it is a matter of drawing a graph like $f(k) = k^2 - 25$ and you want to express the fact at the point f(k) = 0 there are two solutions you would probably write $k = \pm 5$.

However, if it is something physical like and related to magnitude you might want to express it as $|k| = 5$