Absolute Value Calculator

Calculate the absolute value of a number — its distance from zero, always expressed as a non-negative value.

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Enter any number to calculate its absolute value — its distance from zero, always non-negative.

Your result

7.5

Absolute value

AI explanation

Formula

|x| = x if x ≥ 0, otherwise −x

Worked example

Absolute value of -7.5

Worked example: Absolute value of -7.5
FieldValue
Number-7.5
Absolute value7.5

Assumptions

  • The absolute value of any number is always zero or positive.

Frequently asked questions

What does absolute value mean?

It's a number's distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction — so both -7.5 and 7.5 have an absolute value of 7.5.

Is the absolute value of a positive number different from the number itself?

No — a positive number (or zero) equals its own absolute value; only negative numbers change (they become positive).

Where is absolute value used?

It's commonly used to measure error or distance regardless of direction, such as in percent error calculations or when comparing how far a value is from a target regardless of whether it's above or below.

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