ABSOLUTE VALUE

Theory Understanding
Mrs. Keyshla Ortiz
August 28, 2023
 ◦ Absolute value is a mathematical concept that represents the

Definition:
distance of a number from zero on the number line,
regardless of its sign. It's denoted by the symbol |x|, where
"x" is a real number. The absolute value of a number is
always a non-negative value or zero.
 ◦ The notation for absolute value is represented
using vertical bars around the number: |x|. This
Notation notation indicates that you're interested in the
magnitude of "x" without considering whether it's
positive or negative.
 Visual
◦ Imagine a number line, where zero is the center. The
distance between any point on the number line and zero is
its absolute value. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5

Representation
because it's 5 units away from zero, and the absolute value
of -3 is also 3 because it's 3 units away from zero in the
opposite direction.
Properties
1.Multiplication Property: |a * b| = |a| * |b| The
absolute value of the product of two numbers is
the product of their absolute values.
2.Division Property: |a / b| = |a| / |b| (if b ≠ 0) The
absolute value of the quotient of two numbers is
the quotient of their absolute values, as long as
the denominator is not zero.
3.Triangle Inequality: |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b| The
absolute value of the sum of two numbers is
always less than or equal to the sum of their
absolute values. This property is often referred
to as the "Triangle Inequality" due to its
geometric interpretation.
Applications
Absolute value has numerous real-world applications:
• Distance: In physics and engineering, it represents distances and displacements.
• Economics: It's used to analyze profit and loss scenarios.
• Geometry: It measures distances between points on a coordinate plane.
• Computer Science: It's crucial in algorithm analysis and error estimation.
• Signal Processing: In the field of electronics, it's used for signal magnitude calculations.
Conclusion
◦ Understanding absolute value is essential in
mathematics and has practical implications across
various disciplines. It helps us solve equations, make
sense of distances, and analyze scenarios involving
magnitudes and differences.
Practice: Do it on your
squared notebook
◦ Problem 1: Evaluate the following absolute value
expressions:
1. |5|=
2. |-7|=
3. |0|=
4. |-3.5|=
◦ Problem 2: Solve the absolute value for the
following exercises:
1. |(-12) - 4| =
2. |2 + (-1)| =
3. |(-29) + (-13)|=
4. | - |=
5. ||=