absolute value

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The distance of a number from zero on a number line, regardless of whether the number is positive or negative.

   Grammar: Uncountable for the idea; countable for one result: the absolute value of −4 is 4.

   Patterns

   • the absolute value of a number
   • write with vertical bars
   • equal absolute value

   The absolute value of −7 is 7 because both are seven units from zero.

   On the number line, 3 and −3 have the same absolute value.

Common combinations

absolute value of a number

Find the absolute value of each integer.

write in absolute-value bars

Write the answer as |x| = 5.

same absolute value

−12 and 12 have the same absolute value.

greater absolute value

−9 has a greater absolute value than 6.

Synonyms and how they differ

modulus

A more technical synonym, especially British, used for absolute value and for the size of a complex number.

magnitude

Often means size or length of a vector or quantity; broader than distance from zero for real numbers.

Word family

absolute adjective

Measured from zero or without sign.

value noun

A number or amount assigned to something.

Commonly confused: absolute value or relative value?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “absolute value”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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