Absolute Value is best-defined as the distance a number is from zero.

Test the numbers below by pointing your mouse at them to see what the absolute value of each number is. Notice that the absolute value corresponds to how many units a number is from zero, not to whether the number is negative or positive.

Negative Numbers								Positive Numbers
	-3		-2		-1		0		1		2		3

We write absolute value by using two straight lines around a number or expression, like parentheses. |5| is read as "the absolute value of 5." |-5| is read as "the absolute value of negative 5."

Let's try a couple of these: Look at the phrase, and then click on the box to see the answer.
 

Now, we need to learn how to solve an absolute value problem.

One-step problems
 

Two-step problems
Simplify the inside of the absolute value signs first.
Then take the absolute value of that result.
 

Let's Practice