absolute value in math

In mathematics, the absolute value of a number is the magnitude or distance of that number from zero on the number line. It is denoted by two vertical bars surrounding the number, such as |x|.

For positive numbers or zero, the absolute value is simply the number itself. For example, the absolute value of 3 is 3, and the absolute value of 0 is 0 (since it is already at zero distance from zero).

For negative numbers, the absolute value is the number with its sign reversed. For example, the absolute value of -5 is 5, and the absolute value of -3.14 is 3.14. The absolute value always returns a non-negative number.

The absolute value function can also be represented graphically as a V-shaped graph, known as the absolute value function or modulus function. The graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.