November 02, 2022

Absolute ValueDefinition, How to Calculate Absolute Value, Examples

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

In mathematics, an absolute value is the magnitude of a real number irrespective of its sign. So the absolute value is at all time a positive zero or number (0). Let's look at what absolute value is, how to discover absolute value, several examples of absolute value, and the absolute value derivative.

Definition of Absolute Value?

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

Definition of Absolute Value

The previous explanation refers that the absolute value is the length of a number from zero on a number line. Hence, if you think about that, the absolute value is the length or distance a number has from zero. You can see it if you take a look at a real number line:

As shown, 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 due to the fact it is five units apart from zero on the number line.

Examples

If we graph -3 on a line, we can watch that it is three units apart from zero:

The absolute value of negative three is three.

Presently, let's check out more absolute value example. Let's say we hold an absolute value of sin. We can graph this on a number line as well:

The absolute value of six is 6. Hence, what does this refer to? It states that absolute value is constantly positive, regardless if the number itself is negative.

How to Calculate the Absolute Value of a Expression or Figure

You need to know a handful of points prior going into how to do it. A handful of closely related characteristics will assist you understand how the expression within the absolute value symbol functions. Fortunately, here we have an definition of the ensuing 4 essential properties of absolute value.

Fundamental Characteristics of Absolute Values

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

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

Addition: The absolute value of a total is lower 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 these 4 fundamental properties in mind, let's take a look at two other beneficial properties of the absolute value:

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

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.

Now that we went through these properties, we can in the end start learning how to do it!

Steps to Calculate the Absolute Value of a Figure

You have to observe a handful of steps to calculate the absolute value. These steps are:

Step 1: Jot down the number of whom’s absolute value you want to find.

Step 2: If the figure is negative, multiply it by -1. This will change it to a positive number.

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

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

Step 5: The absolute value of the figure is the figure you obtain subsequently steps 2, 3 or 4.

Keep in mind that the absolute value symbol is two vertical bars on both side of a expression or number, like this: |x|.

Example 1

To set out, let's presume an absolute value equation, such as |x + 5| = 20. As we can see, there are two real numbers and a variable inside. To solve this, we are required to find the absolute value of the two numbers in the inequality. We can do this by following the steps mentioned above:

Step 1: We are given the equation |x+5| = 20, and we have to find the absolute value within the equation to get x.

Step 2: By utilizing the essential properties, we learn that the absolute value of the total of these two numbers is equivalent to 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 see, x equals 15, so its distance from zero will also be equivalent 15, and the equation above is genuine.

Example 2

Now let's work on another absolute value example. We'll utilize the absolute value function to solve a new equation, like |x*3| = 6. To get there, we again need to obey the steps:

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

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

Step 3: |x| = 2 has two possible solutions: x = 2 and x = -2.

Step 4: Therefore, the original equation |x*3| = 6 also has two likely solutions, x=2 and x=-2.

Absolute value can involve a lot of intricate 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 continuous function, meaning it is differentiable everywhere. The following formula gives the derivative of the absolute value function:

f'(x)=|x|/x

For absolute value functions, the domain is all real numbers except 0, and the range is all positive real numbers. The absolute value function rises for all x<0 and all x>0. The absolute value function is constant at 0, so the derivative of the absolute value at 0 is 0.

The absolute value function is not distinguishable at 0 reason being the left-hand limit and the right-hand limit are not equal. The left-hand limit is given by:

I'm →0−(|x|/x)

The right-hand limit is offered as:

I'm →0+(|x|/x)

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

Grade Potential Can Guide You with Absolute Value

If the absolute value seems like a lot to take in, or if you're struggling with math, Grade Potential can assist you. We offer one-on-one tutoring from experienced and certified instructors. They can help you with absolute value, derivatives, and any other concepts that are confusing you.

Connect with us today to know more with regard to how we can guide you succeed.