Absolute Value Calculator
Definition – What is an absolute value?
An absolute value is the non-negative value of a number.
If a number has a negative sign (e.g., -5), then the absolute value of that number is the number without the negative sign (e.g., 5).
If a number already does not have a negative sign (e.g., 7), then the absolute value of that number is the same (e.g., 7).
One way of thinking of the concept of absolute numbers is that it is the distance of that number from 0 – -4 is four away from 0, while 4 is also four away from 0.
Example
What is the absolute value of the following numbers? -4, -18.2, and 17 1/3
-4 – the absolute value is 4, as -4 is four numbers from 0.
-18.2 – the absolute value is 18.2, as 18.2 is 18.2 numbers from 0.
17 1/3 – the absolute value is 17 1/3, as 17 1/3 is 17 1/3 numbers from 0.
Sources and more resources
- Wikipedia – Absolute Value
- Planet Math – Absolute Value
- Math is Fun – Absolute Value
- Purple Math – Absolute Value
- Cliffs Notes – What is the absolute value of a negative number