Question 1

What is absolute value?

Accepted Answer

Absolute value is the distance of a number from zero on the number line, ignoring direction. It is always zero or positive. Written as |x|, for example |−5| = 5 and |3| = 3.

Question 2

What is the absolute value of a negative number?

Accepted Answer

The absolute value of a negative number is its positive equivalent. For example, |−7| = 7, |−3| = 3, |−100| = 100. The negative sign is removed because absolute value measures distance, not direction.

Question 3

Why is absolute value always positive?

Accepted Answer

Absolute value represents distance, and distance is never negative. Whether you walk 5 steps left or 5 steps right, you walked 5 steps. That's why |−5| = |5| = 5.

Question 4

How do you find the absolute value of a number?

Accepted Answer

To find the absolute value, simply remove the negative sign if there is one. |−8| = 8, |4| = 4, |0| = 0. The result is always the non-negative version of the number.

Question 5

What does |x| mean in math?

Accepted Answer

The two vertical bars around a number, like |x|, mean 'the absolute value of x'. It tells you the distance of x from zero. |−6| = 6, |6| = 6, |0| = 0.

Question 6

What is the difference between −|5| and |−5|?

Accepted Answer

|−5| = 5 (absolute value of −5 is 5). But −|5| = −5 (the absolute value of 5 is 5, then the minus sign in front makes it −5). The bars are evaluated first.

Distance from zero.

Distance from zero.