Unit 1 – The Number System

CCSS: 6.NS.7.c, 6.NS.7.d

Lesson 3: Absolute Value

The absolute value of a number is that number’s distance from 0 on a number line.
When you write the absolute value of a number n, use the notation ​ n ​.

A distance can never be negative. For example, even walking backward for 20 feet still
means that you’ve traveled 20 feet. Therefore, the absolute value of every number will
be either positive or 0.

Example
What are the values of ​ 26 ​and ​ 6 ​?

Both 26 and 6 are exactly 6 units from 0 on a number line.

6 units 6 units

10 9  8  7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The absolute value of 26 5 ​ 26 ​5 6. The absolute value of 6 5 ​ 6 ​5 6.

Example
What is the value of ​ 2​ __
4
3
​  ​?
3
2​ __
4
​ 34 ​units from 0 on a number line.
​is __

3 units
4

–2 –1 0 1 2

3
The absolute value of 2​ __
4
​5 ​ 2​ __
4
3
​ 34 ​.
​  ​5 __ Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.

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 Lesson 3: Absolute Value
CCSS: 6.NS.7.c, 6.NS.7.d

Absolute value can be used to represent a quantity in a real-world situation.

Example
A fisherman’s hook hangs 12 feet under the surface of the water. Write an
expression using absolute value to interpret the distance that the hook hangs
from the surface of the water.

The word under means the integer should be negative. The integer can be
written as 212. However, distance cannot be negative. Therefore, the
distance can be represented as the absolute value of 212.

​ 212 ​5 12

Absolute value can also be used to compare quantities.

Example
The following table shows two test scores for four students in Ms. Yan’s class,
as well as the change in score between the two tests.

Change from
Student Test 1 Score Test 2 Score
Test 1 to Test 2
Amelia 93 97 4
Bobby 88 82 26
Cathy 92 89 23
Denzel 89 94 5

Which student’s test score changed the most between test 1 and test 2?

To answer this question, you need to look at the numbers that show the
change from test 1 to test 2. You then must find the number that is the farthest
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.

from 0 on the number line. The 0 does not represent a score of 0, however.
The 0 represents the score on test 1. The following number line shows the
four absolute values.

6 units 4 units

–10 –9 –8 –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3 units 5 units

The 26 change from test 1 to test 2 represents the score that changed the
most. Bobby’s test score changed the most between test 1 and test 2.

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