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Chapter 3

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line. It is always positive. Absolute value is indicated with bars around the number. Some examples are provided to demonstrate calculating the absolute value of both positive and negative numbers. The document also discusses that absolute value bars act as grouping symbols, so operations inside the bars are completed first before taking the absolute value. It provides additional examples of using absolute value with variables and numbers outside the bars indicating multiplication or a negative value.

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May Yadanar Nwe
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92 views6 pages

Chapter 3

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line. It is always positive. Absolute value is indicated with bars around the number. Some examples are provided to demonstrate calculating the absolute value of both positive and negative numbers. The document also discusses that absolute value bars act as grouping symbols, so operations inside the bars are completed first before taking the absolute value. It provides additional examples of using absolute value with variables and numbers outside the bars indicating multiplication or a negative value.

Uploaded by

May Yadanar Nwe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 3

ABSOLUTE VALUE
The ABSOLUTE VALUE of a number is its distance from
zero (on the number line). Thus, the absolute value is always
positive. We indicate absolute value by put ting two bars
around the number.

EXAMPLE: |-4|
| - 4 | is read “the absolute value of −4.” Because −4 is 4
spaces from zero on the number line, the absolute value is 4.

EXAMPLE: |9|
| 9 | is read “the absolute value of 9.” Because 9 is 9 spaces
from zero on the number line, the absolute value is 9.

4 S PACE S 9 S PACE S

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

19
Absolute value bars are also grouping symbols, so you
must complete the operation inside them first, then
take the absolute value.

EXAMPLE: | 5 -3 | = | 2 | = 2

Sometimes, there are positive or negative symbols outside


an absolute value bar. Think: inside, then outside-first
take the absolute value of what is inside the bars, then
apply the outside symbol.

| |
EXAMPLE: - 6 = - 6
(The absolute value of 6 is 6. Then
we apply the negative symbol on the
outside of the absolute value bars to
get the answer −6.)

NOW, THIS CHAN GES


EVERY THING.

20
EXAMPLE: - | -1 6 | = - 1 6
(The absolute value of −16 is 16.
Then we apply the negative symbol
on the outside of the absolute value
bars to get the answer −16.)

A number in front of the absolute value bars means


multiplication (like when we use parentheses).

EXAMPLE: 2|-4| (The absolute value of −4 is 4.)

2• 4 = 8 (Once you have the value inside


the absolute value bars, you
can solve normally.)

Multiplication can be shown in a few different ways—not


just with x . All of these symbols mean multiply:
2 x 4 = 8
2  •  4 = 8
(2)(4) = 8
2(4) = 8
If you use VARIABLES, you can put variables next to
each other or put a number next to a variable to indicate
multiplication, like so:
ab = 8
VARIABLE: a letter or symbol 3x = 15
used in place of a quantity
we don’t know yet

21

BFN_MATH-RPT-5-8-17-cb.indd 21 5/10/17 4:50 PM


I
integers

22
Evaluate 1 through 8.

1. | -1 9 |
2. | 49 |

3. |- 4 . 5 |
1
|
4 . --
 5 |
5. | 7 -3 |

6. | 1 • 5 |

7. - | 6 5 |

8. - | -9 |

9. Johanne has an account balance of −$56.50.


What is the absolute value of his debt?

10. A valley is 94 feet below sea level. What is the


absolute value of the elevation difference between the
valley and the sea level?
answers 23
1. 19

2. 49

3. 4.5

1
4. -
5

5. 4

6. 5

7. −65

8. −9

9. 56.50

10. 94

24

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