2. Glossary
  3. Math Glossary
  4. Absolute Value

Absolute Value

Absolute value

  1. The absolute value of a number is the magnitude of its distance from zero (0) on the number line.
  2. Let a value be represented by 𝑥. Its absolute value is denoted by |𝑥|.
    • A number’s absolute value is calculated as follows: If 𝑥 ≥ 0 then |𝑥| = 𝑥. If 𝑥 < 0 then |𝑥| = -𝑥.
    • Absolute values are always positive. Consider the following examples: |-1| = 1, |0| = 0, |1| = 1.