Absolute Value

My Definition

Key Characteristics

The following are true of absolute value:

  • It is the magnitude of a number.

  • It is always positive, unless it is zero.

  • When a value is plotted on a number line, the distance from zero is the absolute value.

  • Its symbol indicates a grouping.

Example


Video Transcript (PDF)

Non-example

The absolute value is NOT just the opposite of a number.


|3| ≠ –3

|7.8| ≠ –7.8

TEKS: 6(2)(B)