How to Find Absolute Value

Step-by-step solution

1. Read the bars as the distance from zero.

   $$|x| = \text{distance from } 0 \text{ on the number line}$$

   Why: Absolute value measures how far a number sits from zero, so it is never negative.

2. Locate -8 on the number line.

   $$-8\ \text{is } 8\ \text{units to the left of } 0$$

   Why: The sign tells you the direction, not the distance.

3. Write the distance.

   $$|-8| = 8$$

   Why: Distance ignores direction, so the answer is positive.

Practice problems

Use the same method. Work each problem on paper, then open the answer to check.

1. 1

   $|-5|$

   Show answer

   $5$

2. 2

   $|7|$

   Show answer

   $7$

3. 3

   $|0|$

   Show answer

   $0$

4. 4

   $-|-3|$

   Show answer

   $-3$

5. 5

   $|-12| - |4|$

   Show answer

   $8$