Absolute Value

Give the values \(a\) and \(-a\), each is the same distance \(a\) from zero.  The distance from zero is the absolute value of the number.

In general:   \(| a | = a\), if \(a ≥ 0\)

\(|a| = -a\) if \(a < 0\), note that -a represents a positive number

Try this:

1. If \(|x | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
2. If \(|x-3 | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
3. If \(|2x-3 | = 5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?
4. If \(|x| = -5\), what value(s) for \(x\) make the statement true?

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Check solutions here.

Go to Practice (Absolute Value)