Absolute Value
Grade 6 · Math · Integers and the Number Line · New Brunswick, Canada
Lesson Summary
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, always expressed as a positive number or zero.
Explanation
Absolute value tells you how far a number is from zero, regardless of direction. The absolute value of -5 is 5, and the absolute value of 5 is also 5, because both are 5 units away from zero. We write absolute value using two vertical bars: |-5| = 5. Absolute value is never negative. It is useful in real-world situations where only the size of a number matters, not its direction, like measuring the distance between two points or finding the difference in temperature.
Practice Questions
Q1: What is |-12|?
Answer: 12, because -12 is 12 units from zero.
Q2: What is |0|?
Answer: 0, because zero is zero units from itself.
Q3: Which has a greater absolute value: -9 or 6?
Answer: -9 has a greater absolute value (9) than 6 (absolute value 6).
People Also Ask
What is Absolute Value in Grade 6 Math?+
Absolute Value is a lesson in the Integers and the Number Line chapter of Grade 6 Math. It is part of the New Brunswick, Canada school curriculum and covers key concepts that students need to understand at this level.
What grade level covers Absolute Value?+
Absolute Value is taught in Grade 6 as part of the Math curriculum in New Brunswick, Canada.
How can I help my child with Integers and the Number Line in Math?+
Start with the lesson summary and explanation on this page. Practice the questions provided, then use TutorTom for personalized, step-by-step help with Integers and the Number Line topics.