Evaluate the Absolute Value Expression: |3| = ?

Q: What does absolute value actually mean?

Absolute value is the distance from zero on a number line. Since distance is always positive, absolute value is always positive or zero!

Q: Why isn't |3| equal to -3?

The number 3 is already positive! Absolute value doesn't change positive numbers - it keeps them the same. Only negative numbers change: $ |-3| = 3 $.

Q: How do I remember the rule for positive numbers?

Think: "If it's already positive, leave it alone!" Absolute value only affects negative numbers by making them positive.

Q: What would happen with a negative number instead?

For negative numbers, absolute value removes the negative sign. For example: $ |-5| = 5 $. The bars "flip" negative numbers to positive.

Q: Is there any number whose absolute value is 0?

Yes! $ |0| = 0 $ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself on the number line.

Absolute Value with Positive Numbers

$\left|3\right|=$

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Understand the problem

$\left|3\right|=$

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will determine the absolute value of the number 3:

Step 1: Recognize that the number given is 3, which is a positive number.
Step 2: According to the rules of absolute values, the absolute value of a positive number is the number itself.
Step 3: Therefore, $|3| = 3$ .

In conclusion, the absolute value of 3 is $\mathbf{3}$ .

Final Answer

$3$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Absolute value of positive numbers equals the number itself
Technique: For |3|, since 3 > 0, the answer is 3
Check: Distance from 0 to 3 on number line is 3 units ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Thinking absolute value always makes numbers negative
Don't think |3| = -3 because you see the vertical bars! This confuses absolute value with making numbers negative. Always remember absolute value gives the distance from zero, which is never negative.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Determine the absolute value of the following number:

$\left|18\right|=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What does absolute value actually mean?

Absolute value is the distance from zero on a number line. Since distance is always positive, absolute value is always positive or zero!

Why isn't |3| equal to -3?

The number 3 is already positive! Absolute value doesn't change positive numbers - it keeps them the same. Only negative numbers change: $|-3| = 3$ .

How do I remember the rule for positive numbers?

Think: "If it's already positive, leave it alone!" Absolute value only affects negative numbers by making them positive.

What would happen with a negative number instead?

For negative numbers, absolute value removes the negative sign. For example: $|-5| = 5$ . The bars "flip" negative numbers to positive.

Is there any number whose absolute value is 0?

Yes! $|0| = 0$ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself on the number line.

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