Absolute Value of a Number

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Discover the concept and significance of the absolute value of a number in mathematics. Explore its definition, properties, and practical applications. Gain a deeper understanding of the value of absolute number.

Absolute Value of a Number

The absolute value of a number is a non-negative value that represents the distance of the number from zero on the number line. It disregards the sign of the number and always returns a positive value. Mathematically, the absolute value of a number “x” is denoted as |x|, and it is defined as follows:

  • If the number “x” is positive or zero, then |x| = x.
  • If the number “x” is negative, then |x| = -x.

For example:

  • The absolute value of 5 is |5| = 5.
  • The absolute value of -7 is |-7| = 7
  • The absolute value of 0 is |0| = 0

The absolute value function is commonly used in various mathematical operations and applications. It ensures that the result is always positive and can be helpful in solving equations, evaluating expressions, finding distances, and determining magnitudes.

Absolute Value of a Number with Examples

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on a number line. It represents the magnitude or size of a number without considering its sign. The absolute value of a real number is always non-negative. Mathematically, the absolute value of a number x is denoted as |x|. The absolute value function can be defined as follows:

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| x | =

x, if x ≥ 0,

-x, if x < 0.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the concept:

  • |5| = 5: The absolute value of 5 is 5 because it is 5 units away from zero on the number line.
  • |-3| = 3: The absolute value of -3 is 3 because it is 3 units away from zero on the number line.
  • |0| = 0: The absolute value of 0 is 0 because it is already at zero on the number line.
  • |7.5| = 7.5: The absolute value of 7.5 is 7.5 because it is 7.5 units away from zero on the number line.
  • |-2.6| = 2.6: The absolute value of -2.6 is 2.6 because it is 2.6 units away from zero on the number line.

The absolute value function is often used in various mathematical operations, such as solving equations involving absolute values, finding the distance between two numbers, or determining the magnitude of a quantity.

How to Find the Absolute Value of a Number?

To find the absolute value of a number, you can follow these steps:

Identify the number for which you want to find the absolute value.

Check if the number is positive or negative. If the number is already positive (greater than or equal to zero), its absolute value is the same as the original number.

If the number is negative (less than zero), remove the negative sign to make it positive. You can do this by multiplying the number by -1

The resulting number after removing the negative sign is the absolute value of the original number.

Here’s a formula to represent the process:

  • |a| = a, if a >= 0
  • |a| = -a, if a < 0

For example:

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The absolute value of 5 is |5| = 5, since 5 is positive.

The absolute value of -7 is |-7| = 7, after removing the negative sign.

Remember that the absolute value of a number always gives the distance of that number from zero on a number line, so it will always be positive or zero.

What is the Absolute Value of a Number?

The absolute value of a number is a measure of its distance from zero on the number line, without considering its direction. It gives the magnitude or size of a number without considering whether it is positive or negative. The absolute value of a number is always non-negative.

Mathematically, the absolute value of a number x is denoted as |x| and is defined as follows:

  • If x is greater than or equal to zero, then |x| is equal to x itself.
  • If x is less than zero, then |x| is equal to the negation of x, i.e., |x| = -x.

For example, the absolute value of 5 is |5| = 5, and the absolute value of -5 is |-5| = 5. Both 5 and -5 have the same absolute value of 5.

In summary, the absolute value of a number gives its positive magnitude, regardless of its sign.

What are the Properties of an Absolute Value?

The absolute value function, often denoted as |x|, is a mathematical function that returns the non-negative magnitude or distance of a real number from zero. Here are some properties of the absolute value function:

  1. Non-Negativity: The absolute value of any real number is non-negative. That is, |x| ≥ 0 for all x in the set of real numbers.
  2. Symmetry: The absolute value function exhibits symmetry around the y-axis. This means that |x| = |−x| for any real number x.
  3. Identity Property: The absolute value of zero is zero. In other words, |0| = 0.
  4. Triangle Inequality: The absolute value function satisfies the triangle inequality property. For any two real numbers a and b, |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b|. This property states that the absolute value of the sum of two numbers is less than or equal to the sum of their absolute values.
  5. Multiplicative Property: For any real numbers a and b, |a * b| = |a| * |b|. This property states that the absolute value of the product of two numbers is equal to the product of their absolute values.
  6. Order-Preserving Property: The absolute value function preserves the order of real numbers. If a and b are real numbers such that a ≤ b, then |a| ≤ |b|.
  7. Piecewise Definition: The absolute value function can be defined using a piecewise function. It is defined as follows:
  • |x| = x if x ≥ 0
  • |x| = -x if x < 0
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These properties help us understand and manipulate the behavior of the absolute value function in various mathematical contexts.

What is an Absolute Value Sign?

The absolute value sign, denoted by two vertical bars surrounding a number or expression, is a mathematical notation used to indicate the magnitude or distance of a real number from zero, without considering its sign. It is often represented as “|x|” or “||x||”. The absolute value of a number x is always non-negative.

Mathematically, if x is a real number, then the absolute value of x is defined as follows:

  • |x| = x, if x ≥ 0
  • |x| = -x, if x < 0

In simpler terms, the absolute value of a positive number is the number itself, while the absolute value of a negative number is its negation (positive version).

For example:

The absolute value function is useful in various mathematical contexts, such as solving equations involving inequalities, calculating distances, or working with complex numbers.

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Categories: Math