RE - Absolute Value Lesson

Absolute Value

Let's start with a quick review of numbers on a number line. Remember that on a number line, we find 0 in the middle (called the origin) and we find the positive numbers to the right of 0 and negative numbers to the left of 0. See the graph below.

Absolute value is the distance from zero on a number line. Because it refers to a distance, absolute value is always positive. We use two horizontal bars to represent absolute value. If we wanted to take the absolute value of -3, it would look like this: |-3|.   This means to find the absolute value of -3.

You can find this using one of two ways:

1. What is the positive value for this number?
2. How far from 0 is the number on a number line?

Here is another example- The symbol for absolute value is shown in this equation: |8| = 8 and |-8| = 8. These are read as "The absolute value of 8 equals 8" and "the absolute value of negative 8 equals 8." These are true because the distance between 0 and 8 on the number line is 8 spaces and the distance between 0 and negative 8 on the number line is 8 spaces. The distance is always positive.   One can never travel a negative distance.  

Let's look at the number line first.

Since -3 is 3 units away from 0 on a number line, then the absolute value of -3 is 3. Without a number line, then you take the positive value for -3. So, |-3| = 3

Here are some basic examples:

| 5 | = 5
| -2 | = 2
| 0 | = 0

The distance between a number and zero on the number line is called the absolute value.  

Watch the video showcase below to learn more about absolute value.  

Absolute Value Assignment

Download the "Absolute Value Assignment" by clicking here. Be sure to work all of the problems on paper. You will use these problems and solutions to complete the "Rational Explorations HW Quiz 1." Remember you can always go back and review the lessons and videos for more help. Links to an external site.

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS