Absolute Value’s

This week in math we learned what absolute value is.

The absolute value is indicated by two vertical bars “| |”.  These bars are grouping symbols and are similar to brackets but do not serve the same job.  Similar to brackets you have to solve everything between the bars “| |” before continuing to solve the problem but, unlike brackets these bars do not indicate multiplying, which some people get confused by.

Absolute value is the distance from 0.  So that means the absolute value is never negative.  |-3| = 3, because, on a number line if you were at zero and went three to the right is it is the same distance as if you were to go to the left.  Below is a number line representing my explanation:

At first, absolute value confused me but after learning the basics it is really quite a simple aspect and easy one.