Absolute Value
When we want to talk about how “large” a number is without regard as to
whether it is positive or negative, we use the absolute value function.
The absolute value of a number is the distance from that number to the origin
(zero) on the number line. That distance is always given as a non-negative
number.
In short:
- If a
number is positive (or zero), the absolute value function does nothing to
it:
- If a
number is negative, the absolute value function makes it positive:
WARNING:
If there is
arithmetic to do inside the absolute value sign, you must do it before taking
the absolute value—the absolute value function acts on the result of
whatever is inside it. For example, a common error is
(WRONG)
The correct result is
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