absolute value
compound.the distance of a number from zero, regardless of whether it is positive or negative.
compound.the non-negative value of a real number without regard to its sign. In mathematical notation, it is represented by vertical bars enclosing the number or expression.
“The absolute value of -5 is 5.”
“When calculating the total distance moved, you must use the absolute value of each step so that backward movements don't cancel out forward ones.”
“The function is defined such that the output always corresponds to the absolute value of the input, ensuring a non-negative result across the entire domain.”
used almost exclusively in mathematical, statistical, or technical contexts.
anchor the concept by explaining it as 'distance from zero' on a number line, which helps students understand why the result can never be a negative number.