<image>If the points corresponding to a, b, and c are shown on the number line as in the figure, and |a| = |b|,
(1) calculate 100 - 99a - 99b;_
(2) determine the sign of (a - b)(b - c)(a - c);_
(3) simplify |a| - |a + b| + |c - a| + |c - b|.