Absolute value is imperative to understanding how numbers can be compared to 0. It involves negatives and positives. This concept will be the basis of many further avenues of study, including larger functions and understanding correlation.
*Note: you can find some helpful math videos for other introductory and complex topics here.
Distance from Zero
Any number can be negative or positive. This includes percentages, correlation, fractions, decimals, and whole numbers. To find the absolute value of a number, you have to consider how far the number is from zero. The symbols that represents an absolute value is a vertical line. For instance: |number goes here|
Examples
|-10| = 10
|6.25| = 6.25
|-x| = x
You try it!
−1.5 = ?
|−0.5236| = ?
|−y| = y
−1.5 = 1.5
|−0.5236| = 0.5236
|−yz| = yz
Tech Help
Excel
Step 1: Type = and the function ABS(number)
You are able to calculate an absolute value in excel as well, which allows for you to confirm your results. The image below shows an excel box with the formula typed in: =ABS(-19) which would result in 19.
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