01 Key Concepts
Definition
The absolute value of x, written |x|, is the distance between x and 0 on the number line, always zero or positive.
Absolute Value of Positive Numbers
The absolute value of a positive number is just the number itself: |5| = 5.
Absolute Value of Negative Numbers
The absolute value of a negative number is its positive counterpart: |-5| = 5.
Absolute Value of Zero
|0| = 0, since zero is exactly zero units from itself.
Absolute Value in Expressions
Simplify what's inside the absolute value bars first, then apply the absolute value to the result.
02 Key Formulas
- |x| = x if x >= 0; |x| = -x if x < 0
03 Solved Examples
Example 1 Evaluate |-7|.
- -7 is 7 units away from 0 on the number line.
Answer: 7
Example 2 Evaluate |3 - 10|.
- Simplify inside the bars first: 3 - 10 = -7.
- Then apply absolute value: |-7|.
Answer: 7
Example 3 Evaluate |-4| + |6|.
- |-4| = 4.
- |6| = 6.
- Add: 4 + 6.
Answer: 10
04 Practice Questions
1Evaluate |9|.
9
2Evaluate |-12|.
12
3Evaluate |5 - 8|.
3
4Evaluate |-3| + |-7|.
10
5Evaluate |0|.
0
📄 Absolute Value — Downloadable Worksheet
10 questions with a full answer key. Grab the PDF to print, or try the interactive version in your browser.