# Absolute Value

Home > Do Mathematics -> K-7 Measurement and Geometry -> Absolute Value

 Definition: The absolute value of a number is the distance between that number and 0. Rule: To show that we want the absolute value of a number, we put straight lines around it. Interactivity: Absolute Value    Directions for Interactivity   Click and drag the big blue point. The absolute value of the number is the length of the purple line segment. Sorry, the GeoGebra Applet could not be started. Please make sure that Java 1.4.2 (or later) is installed and active in your browser (Click here to install Java now)
 Examples The distance between two points is always a positive value. This means, the absolute value of a number is always positive. (Exception:|0|=0) In the image above, there is a number line and 4 points Ѕ W Y Z. In the image below is shown the way to calculate the absolute value. Let's look at the points to the right of 0.   The point Z represents the number 26.  The distance between Z and 0 is 26 (see below)   So the absolute value of 26 is 26. We write this sentence: |26=|26 Look at the point Y. Do you see that |19| =19 ?   Now, let's look at the points to the left of 0.   The point W represents the number -7, but the distance between W and 0 is 7. So the absolute value of –7 is 7 or |-7| =7 . Look at the point Ѕ. Do you see that |-25| =25 ?