Understanding Absolute Value

Why is the absolute value of a number always positive?

• Because it is a mathematical rule.

• Because it is always greater than zero.

• Because it represents distance, which cannot be negative.

• Because it represents a coordinate.

What does the number inside the absolute value represent?

• The distance from zero.

• The sum of two distances.

• A coordinate that is equally distant from two other points.

• The midpoint of a line segment.

If the expression inside the absolute value is x + 5, what was the original coordinate?

• 0

• 5

• 10

• -5

In the example where the distance is 3 and the coordinate is -7, what should be inside the absolute value?

• x + 7

• x - 7

• x + 3

• x - 3

In the SAT question example, if the coordinate is -4, what should be inside the absolute value?

• x + 4

• x - 4

• x - 3

• x + 3