Absolute Value and Signed Integers (2024)

Lesson - Absolute Value and Signed Integers


Absolute Value and Signed Integers

Theabsolute valueof a number is the distance between the number and zero on a number line. The absolute value of a number n is written as |n|. The absolute value of 0 is 0.

Two numbers areoppositesif they have the same absolute value but different signs. Opposites are the same distance from 0 on a number line, and they are on opposite sides of 0. The opposite of 0 is 0.

Examples

  • The opposite of 5 is -5.
  • The opposite of -12 is 12.
  • Because |-9| = 9, the opposite of |-9|is -9.

Integers

Numbers greater than zero are called positive numbers. Numbers less than zero are called negative numbers. The collection of all numbers without fractional parts, both negative, positive, and zero are referred to as integers.

Absolute Value and Signed Integers (1)

The integers are ... -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ...

Each integer can be shown on a number line. Placing a dot at the location of the number is called graphing the integer on the number line.

A number line can also be used to visualize the order relation between two integers. A number that appears to the left of a given number is less than (<) the given number. A number that appears to the right of a given number is greater than (>) the given number.

Example

Graph -3 and 1. Define their order relationship.

Absolute Value and Signed Integers (2)

-3 < 1

Practice

Evaluate each.

1.) |5|

2.) |-27|

3.) - |-45|

4.) - |62|

Place the correct symbol, < or >, between the two numbers.

1.) 3 - 5

2.) - 2 - 5

3.) 48 - 76

Answer Key

Absolute Value and Signed Integers (3)

Absolute Value and Signed Integers (2024)

FAQs

What is the absolute value of signed integer? ›

The absolute value of any integer, whether positive or negative, will be the real numbers, regardless of which sign it has. It is represented by two vertical lines |a|, which is known as the modulus of a. For example: 5 is the absolute value for both 5 and -5.

Are there always two answers for absolute value? ›

Answer and Explanation:

Absolute values will have two solutions when they are equations, functions, in the inequalities that will give a set of results. For a specific number with an absolute value, it will only have one result which will always be positive.

How to solve integers and absolute value? ›

Adding Integers Using Absolute Value
  1. If the two integers have the same sign: Add their absolute values. Give the answer the same sign as the two original integers.
  2. If the two integers have different signs: Subtract the lesser absolute value from the greater absolute value.
Mar 18, 2024

What do you mean by absolute value of (+) ve and (-) ve integers? ›

The absolute value of an integer is the numerical value without regard to whether the sign is negative or positive. On a number line it is the distance between the number and zero. The absolute value of -15 is 15.

How do you solve signed integers? ›

When adding integers, if the signs of the values are the same, you will add the two values. If the signs of the values are different, subtract the two values. You will always keep the sign of the largest value. Subtracting integers is actually the process of adding the opposite of the stated value.

How do you find signed integers? ›

A signed integer is an integer with a positive '+' or negative sign '-' associated with it. Since the computer only understands binary, it is necessary to represent these signed integers in binary form.

Do you have to check your answers for absolute value equations? ›

It is essential to check the answers you find to figure out if they are extraneous. To check if any of your roots are extraneous, plug each of the roots back in to the original equation. If the root does not solve the original problem, then it is extraneous and is not a one of the solutions.

How many answers does absolute value have? ›

An absolute value equation may have one solution, two solutions, or no solutions.

What is the rule for solving absolute value equations? ›

Step 1: Isolate the absolute value|3x - 6| - 9 = -3 |3x - 6| = 6
Step 2: Is the number on the other side of the equation negative?No, it's a positive number, 6, so continue on to step 3
Step 3: Write two equations without absolute value bars3x - 6 = 6
Step 4: Solve both equations3x - 6 = 6 3x = 12 x = 4

Can two integers have the same absolute value? ›

Answer: Two different integers can have the same absolute value.

What is an example of an integer? ›

What is an integer and what are examples of integers? An integer (pronounced IN-tuh-jer) is a whole number (not a fractional number) that can be positive, negative, or zero. Examples of integers are: -5, 1, 5, 8, 97, and 3,043.

What is the easiest way to find the absolute value of a number? ›

The absolute value of the number is defined as its distance from the origin. For example, to find the absolute value of 7, locate 7 on the real line and then find its distance from the origin. To find the absolute value of −7, locate −7 on the real line and then find its distance from the origin.

What is the absolute value for dummies? ›

Definitions: The absolute value (or modulus) | x | of a real number x is the non-negative value of x without regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5, and the absolute value of −5 is also 5. The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero along real number line.

Is absolute value always positive? ›

Absolute value is always positive. Since it's the distance a number is from 0, it would always be positive. So, the absolute value of positive 5, would be positive 5. You can apply this to physics too.

Is absolute always positive? ›

The absolute value of a number represents its distance from zero on a number line, always resulting in a positive value.

What is the absolute of 1? ›

Some complex numbers have absolute value 1. Of course, 1 is the absolute value of both 1 and –1, but it's also the absolute value of both i and –i since they're both one unit away from 0 on the imaginary axis. The unit circle is the circle of radius 1 centered at 0.

How do you find the absolute value of a number? ›

The absolute value (or modulus) | x | of a real number x is the non-negative value of x without regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5, and the absolute value of −5 is also 5. The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero along real number line.

What does -| 12 mean? ›

|-12| Absolute value bars around a signed number mean to make the sign of the number positive and erase the absolute value bars. So far we have 12. 4. Then finally put on the outside negative sign. -|-12| That is, we put a negative sign onto 12, getting final answer -12.

What is the absolute value of a rational number? ›

Rational numbers are the numbers that can be written as the fraction of two integers and absolute value is the distance a number is away from 0. If we look at a number line, the absolute value is the distance any number on the number line is away from 0. Distance is always positive, so our absolute value is always 0.

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