How do I find absolute value? I can't figure it out!!

The absolute value,also called the modulus, is just the 'size' of a number. So the absolute value of

-5   is just 5 ,for example. And the absolute value of 5  is 5.

To find the absolute value of an expression like (x-a),  square it,and then take the square root so that you always get a positive number.,

Example:

Abs value of (10 - 8)  is the same as abs value of (8-10) ,

because by the definition, abs value (10-8) = square root of (10-8) squared = square root of 2 squared =2                and abs value of (8-10)  = square root of (-2) squared = square root of 4 = 2.

Thanks, Guest......it can also be thought of as the distance from a real number to 0.....for instance...

l -3 l   =  3   because -3 is 3 units from 0

or

l 3 l   = 3    because 3 is 3 units from 0