Evaluate absolute value expressions
Key notes:
Absolute values are positive or zero. To find the absolute value of a negative number, switch the sign.
To simplify expressions with absolute value symbols, first simplify the quantity inside the absolute value symbols and take the absolute value. Then perform any other operations.
Learn with an example
Evaluate the expression for j = –5.
|5 − j| = ——
Plug in j = –5 and simplify.
|5 − j|
|5 − –5|
|10|
10
Evaluate the expression for q = –4.
|q + 6| = —–
Plug in q = –4 and simplify.
|q + 6|
|–4 + 6|
|2|
2
Evaluate the expression for t = –2.
2 − |t| = —–
Plug in t = –2 and simplify.
2 − |t|
2 − |–2|
2 − 2
0
let’s practice!
