Grade 11 · Mathematics
Absolute value
Why it matters
Definition and graphs.
Core20m readingPrerequisite: None
What is absolute value?
Short answer
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, so it is never negative. It is written with vertical bars: |5| = 5 and |−5| = 5. Formally, |x| = x when x ≥ 0 and |x| = −x when x < 0. Because it measures distance, absolute value appears whenever only magnitude matters.
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Frequently asked questions
- Can absolute value be negative?
- No. It represents distance from zero, which is always zero or positive.
- How do you solve an absolute value equation like |x| = 3?
- Consider both cases: x = 3 and x = −3, since both are distance 3 from zero.