Evaluate the Absolute Value Expression: |18|

Q: Why is the absolute value of 18 still 18?

Because 18 is already positive! Absolute value only changes negative numbers to positive. Since 18 is already positive, $ |18| = 18 $.

Q: What would happen if the number was negative?

If we had $ |-18| $, then the absolute value would be 18. The bars always give us the positive version of any number.

Q: How do I remember what absolute value means?

Think of it as distance from zero! Just like you can't walk a negative distance, absolute value is never negative. It's always positive or zero.

Q: Can absolute value ever equal zero?

Yes! $ |0| = 0 $ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself on the number line. Zero is the only number whose absolute value is zero.

Q: Do the bars around a number mean anything special?

The bars $ | | $ are the absolute value symbol. They tell you to find the distance from zero, which always gives a non-negative result.

Absolute Value with Positive Numbers

Determine the absolute value of the following number:

$\left|18\right|=$

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Understand the problem

Determine the absolute value of the following number:

$\left|18\right|=$

Step-by-step solution

The "absolute value" can be viewed as the distance of a number from 0.
Therefore, the absolute value will not change the sign from negative to positive, it will always be positive.

Final Answer

$18$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Definition: Absolute value equals distance from zero on number line
Technique: For positive numbers like 18, absolute value stays positive
Check: Verify distance: 18 is 18 units from 0 on number line ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing absolute value with negation
Don't think |18| = -18 because of the bars = completely backwards! The bars mean distance from zero, not making numbers negative. Always remember absolute value makes everything positive or zero.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$\left|-19\frac{1}{4}\right|=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is the absolute value of 18 still 18?

Because 18 is already positive! Absolute value only changes negative numbers to positive. Since 18 is already positive, $|18| = 18$ .

What would happen if the number was negative?

If we had $|-18|$ , then the absolute value would be 18. The bars always give us the positive version of any number.

How do I remember what absolute value means?

Think of it as distance from zero! Just like you can't walk a negative distance, absolute value is never negative. It's always positive or zero.

Can absolute value ever equal zero?

Yes! $|0| = 0$ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself on the number line. Zero is the only number whose absolute value is zero.

Do the bars around a number mean anything special?

The bars $| |$ are the absolute value symbol. They tell you to find the distance from zero, which always gives a non-negative result.

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