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Absolute Value for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'æbsə,lut_'vælju

What does Absolute Value really mean?

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Absolute value is a mathematical concept that helps us understand the distance between numbers on a number line. You know, like how we can measure the distance between two cities or two points on a map? Similarly, absolute value measures the distance between a number and zero on a number line. It tells us how far apart two numbers are, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

Let me give you an example to make it easier to understand. Imagine there's a number line stretched out in front of us. On this number line, you can find all the numbers including positive numbers like 5, 10, or 100, and negative numbers like -5, -10, or -100. Now, the point where this number line starts, the very beginning, is called zero (0). That's important because absolute value measures how far a number is from zero.

Let's take the number 5 as an example. If we want to find its absolute value, we need to ask ourselves, "How far is 5 from zero?" By measuring the distance between 5 and zero on our number line, we can see that it's a distance of 5 units. So, the absolute value of 5 is 5.

But what about negative numbers? Let's take -10 as an example this time. If we apply the same question, "How far is -10 from zero?" you might wonder if it's a distance of -10 units. However, absolute value doesn't work that way. Instead, it gives us a positive value. So, the absolute value of -10 is actually 10. This is because we don't care about the negative or positive sign here, we only care about the distance from zero.

Now, let's look at the mathematical representation of absolute value. Do you know those vertical bars we sometimes see around a number? Those bars are called absolute value bars or absolute value symbols. When we put a number inside these bars, like |x|, it means we want to find the absolute value of x. So, if we have |5|, it would be equal to 5, and if we have |-10|, it would be equal to 10.

So, in simpler terms, absolute value is like a measuring tool that helps us find how far a number is from zero on a number line. It doesn't matter if the number is positive or negative, all we care about is the distance. Absolute value uses those vertical bars, or absolute value symbols, to enclose a number and give us the positive distance from zero. It's like finding the distance between two cities on a map, but in this case, it's the distance between a number and zero on a number line.


Revised and Fact checked by Emily Davis on 2023-11-06 02:19:31

Absolute Value In a sentece

Learn how to use Absolute Value inside a sentece

  • If you owe your friend $10, the absolute value of your debt is $10 because it doesn't matter if you owe him $10 or if he owes you $10, the value will always be positive $10.
  • If you find $20 on the street, the absolute value of your unexpected gain is $20 because it doesn't matter if you gain $20 or if someone else loses $20, the value will always be positive $20.
  • If the temperature outside is -5 degrees Celsius, the absolute value of the temperature is 5 degrees Celsius because we only care about how far away it is from zero, not if it's above or below zero.
  • If you have 3 apples left and your friend has 8 apples, the absolute value of the difference in apple count is 5 because it doesn't matter if you have more or less apples, we only care about how far apart the numbers are.
  • If you have $50 in your pocket and you spend $30, the absolute value of your remaining money is $20 because no matter if you have more or less money, the value will always be positive.

Absolute Value Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

numerical value

Absolute Value Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

definite quantity

Absolute Value Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.

modulus