Absolute Value

Andrew Gloag
Melissa Kramer
Anne Gloag
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Printed: October 12, 2013
AUTHORS
Andrew Gloag
Melissa Kramer
Anne Gloag
EDITOR
Annamaria Farbizio
www.ck12.org Concept 1. Absolute Value
CONCEPT
1 Absolute Value
Here youll review the meaning of absolute value and learn how to nd the distance between two numbers on a
number line.
What if two people stood back-to-back and then walked in opposite directions? The rst person walked 2 miles,
while the second person walked 5 miles. How far apart would they be? Could you use a number line to represent
this scenario? In this Concept, youll review the meaning of absolute value and learn to nd the distance between
two numbers on a number line so that you can solve problems such as this one.
Guidance
The absolute value of a number is the distance from zero on a number line. The numbers 4 and 4 are each four
units away from zero on a number line. So, |4|= 4 and |4|= 4.
Below is a more formal denition of absolute value.
For any real number x,
|x| = x f or all x 0
|x| =x(read the opposite of x) f or all x <0
The second part of this denition states that the absolute value of a negative number is its opposite (a positive
number).
Example A
Evaluate |120|.
Solution:
The absolute value of a negative number is its inverse, or opposite. Therefore, |120|=(120) = 120.
Distance on the Number Line
Because the absolute value is always positive, it can be used to nd the distance between two values on a number
line.
The distance between two values x and y on a number line is found by:
distance =|x y| or |y x|
Example B
Find the distance between 5 and 8.
Solution:
Use the denition of distance. Let x =5 and y = 8.
distance =|58|=|13|
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The absolute value of 13 is 13, so 5 and 8 are 13 units apart.
Check on the graph below that the length of the line between the points -5 and 8 is 13 units long:
Example C
Find the distance between -12 and 3.
Solution:
Use the denition of distance. Let x = 3 and y =12.
distance =|3(12)|=|3+12|=|15|= 15
The absolute value of 15 is 15, so 3 and -12 are 15 units apart.
Video Review
MEDIA
Click image to the left for more content.
MEDIA
Click image to the left for more content.
Guided Practice
Find the distance between 8 and -1.
Solution:
We use the distance formula. Let x = 8 and y =1.
distance =|8(1)|=|8+1|=|9|= 9
Notice that if we let x =1 and y = 8, we get:
distance =|18|=|9|= 9
.
So, it does not matter which number we pick for x and y. We will get the same answer.
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www.ck12.org Concept 1. Absolute Value
Practice
Evaluate the absolute value.
1. |250|
2. |12|
3. |
2
5
|
4. |
1
10
|
Find the distance between the points.
5. 12 and 11
6. 5 and 22
7. 9 and 18
8. 2 and 3
9.
2
3
and 11
10. 10.5 and 9.75
11. 36 and 14
Mixed Review
12. Solve: 6t 14 <2t +7.
13. The speed limit of a semi-truck on the highway is between 45 mph and 65 mph.
1. Write this situation as a compound inequality
2. Graph the solutions on a number line.
14. Lloyd can only afford transportation costs of less than $276 per month. His monthly car payment is $181 and
he sets aside $25 per month for oil changes and other maintenance costs. How much can he afford for gas?
15. Simplify

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3.
16. A hush puppy recipe calls for 3.4 ounces of our for one batch of 8 hush puppies. You need to make 56 hush
puppies. How much our do you need?
17. What is the additive inverse of 124?
18. What is the multiplicative inverse of 14?
19. Dene the Addition Property of Equality.
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