November 02, 2022

Absolute ValueMeaning, How to Calculate Absolute Value, Examples

A lot of people think of absolute value as the distance from zero to a number line. And that's not inaccurate, but it's nowhere chose to the entire story.

In mathematics, an absolute value is the magnitude of a real number without considering its sign. So the absolute value is all the time a positive zero or number (0). Let's check at what absolute value is, how to find absolute value, few examples of absolute value, and the absolute value derivative.

Explanation of Absolute Value?

An absolute value of a figure is constantly positive or zero (0). It is the magnitude of a real number without regard to its sign. This refers that if you hold a negative number, the absolute value of that figure is the number without the negative sign.

Meaning of Absolute Value

The last explanation refers that the absolute value is the length of a figure from zero on a number line. Hence, if you think about it, the absolute value is the length or distance a figure has from zero. You can observe it if you check out a real number line:

As demonstrated, the absolute value of a figure is the length of the figure is from zero on the number line. The absolute value of -5 is 5 because it is five units away from zero on the number line.

Examples

If we graph negative three on a line, we can observe that it is 3 units away from zero:

The absolute value of negative three is 3.

Presently, let's look at another absolute value example. Let's say we posses an absolute value of sin. We can plot this on a number line as well:

The absolute value of six is 6. So, what does this mean? It shows us that absolute value is constantly positive, even though the number itself is negative.

How to Calculate the Absolute Value of a Expression or Figure

You need to know a couple of points before working on how to do it. A couple of closely associated properties will assist you comprehend how the number within the absolute value symbol works. Luckily, here we have an explanation of the ensuing 4 essential characteristics of absolute value.

Basic Characteristics of Absolute Values

Non-negativity: The absolute value of all real number is always positive or zero (0).

Identity: The absolute value of a positive number is the number itself. Instead, the absolute value of a negative number is the non-negative value of that same figure.

Addition: The absolute value of a total is less than or equivalent to the sum of absolute values.

Multiplication: The absolute value of a product is equal to the product of absolute values.

With above-mentioned four fundamental properties in mind, let's check out two more helpful characteristics of the absolute value:

Positive definiteness: The absolute value of any real number is at all times zero (0) or positive.

Triangle inequality: The absolute value of the variance within two real numbers is less than or equivalent to the absolute value of the sum of their absolute values.

Considering that we learned these characteristics, we can ultimately begin learning how to do it!

Steps to Calculate the Absolute Value of a Figure

You are required to follow a handful of steps to discover the absolute value. These steps are:

Step 1: Write down the expression of whom’s absolute value you want to calculate.

Step 2: If the expression is negative, multiply it by -1. This will convert the number to positive.

Step3: If the number is positive, do not alter it.

Step 4: Apply all characteristics applicable to the absolute value equations.

Step 5: The absolute value of the expression is the figure you have following steps 2, 3 or 4.

Bear in mind that the absolute value sign is two vertical bars on either side of a figure or number, like this: |x|.

Example 1

To begin with, let's consider an absolute value equation, such as |x + 5| = 20. As we can observe, there are two real numbers and a variable inside. To figure this out, we are required to find the absolute value of the two numbers in the inequality. We can do this by observing the steps mentioned priorly:

Step 1: We are provided with the equation |x+5| = 20, and we are required to find the absolute value within the equation to solve x.

Step 2: By using the fundamental properties, we know that the absolute value of the total of these two numbers is the same as the total of each absolute value: |x|+|5| = 20

Step 3: The absolute value of 5 is 5, and the x is unknown, so let's remove the vertical bars: x+5 = 20

Step 4: Let's solve for x: x = 20-5, x = 15

As we can observe, x equals 15, so its length from zero will also be equivalent 15, and the equation above is genuine.

Example 2

Now let's check out one more absolute value example. We'll use the absolute value function to get a new equation, similar to |x*3| = 6. To get there, we again have to observe the steps:

Step 1: We hold the equation |x*3| = 6.

Step 2: We are required to calculate the value x, so we'll initiate by dividing 3 from each side of the equation. This step gives us |x| = 2.

Step 3: |x| = 2 has two potential results: x = 2 and x = -2.

Step 4: So, the first equation |x*3| = 6 also has two potential solutions, x=2 and x=-2.

Absolute value can contain many complicated values or rational numbers in mathematical settings; nevertheless, that is a story for another day.

The Derivative of Absolute Value Functions

The absolute value is a constant function, this states it is distinguishable everywhere. The following formula offers the derivative of the absolute value function:

f'(x)=|x|/x

For absolute value functions, the domain is all real numbers except zero (0), and the range is all positive real numbers. The absolute value function increases for all x<0 and all x>0. The absolute value function is consistent at 0, so the derivative of the absolute value at 0 is 0.

The absolute value function is not distinctable at 0 because the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit are not equal. The left-hand limit is provided as:

I'm →0−(|x|/x)

The right-hand limit is offered as:

I'm →0+(|x|/x)

Since the left-hand limit is negative and the right-hand limit is positive, the absolute value function is not distinctable at 0.

Grade Potential Can Guide You with Absolute Value

If the absolute value seems like complicated task, or if you're struggling with math, Grade Potential can guide you. We offer one-on-one tutoring from experienced and authorized instructors. They can guide you with absolute value, derivatives, and any other concepts that are confusing you.

Call us today to know more with regard to how we can assist you succeed.