Absolute Value

Absolute ValueAbsolute Value is denoted by vertical lines.|x| means the absolute value of x.|x| also means the distance between the number x and the origin on a number lineAbsolute value is always positive because both x and –x are the same distance from the origin on a number line, and distance is always positive. -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3For example, if |x| = 3, then x could be 3, or -3 because both are 3 units from the originYou could also write it as |x – 0| = 3, and read it as the distance between x and 0 is 3The absolute value of a constant is just the distance of that number from the origin, so |3| = 3, and |-3| = 3For an equation like: |x – 2| = 1, you would read it as ‘the distance between x and 2’ = 1, or more simplyx – 2 = 1, or –(x-2) = 1 and solve both equations for x.