Absolute Value
- Author:
- Bralee Gilday, Samantha Garcia
Absolute value is a number's distance from zero. For example, the absolute value of 3 is 3. Easy right? Well what about -3...it's still only 3 away from zero, just in a different direction. This means the absolute value of -3 is 3.
Instead of having to always write out "absolute value of -3 is 3," you can write = 3. Those little bars represent absolute value.
Drag the purple point below to change the value of it and read the absolute value of a number. Once you understand the concept, answer the questions below.
1. Is there a value of a that creates a negative absolute value? -If yes, which number(s)? -If no, why not?
2. How are absolute value and distance from 0 related?
3. Give an example of two different numbers that have the same absolute value. Explain why they have the same absolute value.
4. Challenge! What is ?