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Understanding Absolute Value

The Absolute Value Calculator helps you find the absolute value (often called the modulus) of any real number you enter. The absolute value of a number represents its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of its direction (positive or negative).

🧮 How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter a Number: Type any real number (positive, negative, or zero) into the input field. This can be an integer or a decimal.
2. Calculate: Click the "Calculate Absolute Value" button.
3. View Result: The calculator will display the absolute value of the number you entered, typically denoted as |x|. A brief explanation of the calculation step will also be shown.

🔢 The Concept of Absolute Value

Mathematically, the absolute value of a real number x is defined as:

• |x| = x, if x ≥ 0 (if the number is positive or zero)
• |x| = -x, if x < 0 (if the number is negative, its absolute value is its additive inverse, making it positive)

In simpler terms:

• The absolute value of a positive number is the number itself (e.g., |7| = 7).
• The absolute value of a negative number is its positive counterpart (e.g., |-5| = 5).
• The absolute value of zero is zero (|0| = 0).

The result of an absolute value operation is always non-negative.

💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are common uses for absolute value?

Absolute value is used in mathematics for measuring distances between points; in physics for calculating vector magnitudes; and in statistics for calculating deviations from a mean (like Mean Absolute Deviation).

What is another name for absolute value?

It is also commonly referred to as the modulus of a number.