ABSOLUTE VALUE

The absolute value for a number is that number's distance from zero on the number line. The absolute value of -4 is 4; the absolute value of 4 is 4. Another way to look at it is to say -4 is 4 values away from zero on a number line, so the absolute value is 4. Absolute value is always expressed as a positive value.

The symbol for absolute value is |  | so if you see, |-4| then the absolute value for -4 would equal 4. Remember, absolute value is like a washing machine, it cleans up a number and always makes it positive.