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Absolute Value

Definition

Absolute value refers to the magnitude or size of a number without considering its sign. It is always positive or zero.

Analogy

Imagine you're measuring distance on a number line. The absolute value tells you how far away you are from zero, regardless if you're moving left (negative) or right (positive).

Related terms

Negative Numbers: Numbers less than zero that indicate loss or decrease.

Positive Numbers: Numbers greater than zero that indicate gain or increase.

Zero: A neutral number that represents neither gain nor loss.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.