Absolute value smallest to biggest | Pre-Algebra | Khan Academy

TL;DR

Understanding absolute value and how to order numbers using absolute value.

Transcript

We're told to list in order from smallest to largest. So each of these quantities, it looks like we have expressions inside of absolute value signs. And just as a bit of review, absolute value just means your distance from 0. Or another way to think about it is, if it's a negative number inside of the absolute value sign, it becomes positive. If it... Read More

Key Insights

• #️⃣ Absolute value measures the distance of a number from 0 on the number line.
• 🤘 Positive values inside absolute value signs remain unchanged.
• 🤘 Negative values inside absolute value signs become positive.
• 💁 Ordering numbers in absolute value form requires converting them to simple integers.
• 🫥 The smallest absolute value is 0 since it has no distance from 0 on the number line.
• 🛩️ To order numbers, arrange them from smallest to largest based on their converted values.
• 🫥 The larger the positive value, the further it is from 0 on the number line.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does absolute value represent?

Absolute value measures the distance of a number from 0 on the number line. It is the value without considering its positive or negative sign.

Q: How do you determine the absolute value of a positive number?

The absolute value of a positive number remains the same. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5 because 5 is 5 units away from 0 on the number line.

Q: What happens if there is a negative number inside the absolute value sign?

If there is a negative number inside the absolute value sign, it becomes positive. For instance, the absolute value of -10 is 10 because -10 is 10 units to the left of 0 on the number line.

Q: How do you order numbers given in absolute value form?

To order numbers given in absolute value form, convert them to simple integers and arrange them from smallest to largest. First, eliminate the absolute value notation and write the actual value without the sign.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Absolute value measures the distance of a number from 0 on the number line.

• Positive values inside absolute value signs remain the same, while negative values become positive.

• To order numbers given in absolute value form, convert them to simple integers and arrange them from smallest to largest.