Question

Your Teacher is wondering if the absolute value of a number can ever be negative. Is she correct? Why or Why not? Use specific examples and sound mathematical reasoning to support your answer

Answer 1

Absolute value can never be negative. The definition of absolute value is the distance a number is from 0 expressed as a numerical value. You can’t have negative distance therefore you can’t have negative absolute value.

(for example if you walk backwards, you’re still walking forwards in a given direction so that wouldn’t be negative distance traveled.)

Answer 2

The absolute value of a number can never be negative; it is always positive. It is a distance past 0. Therefore it cannot be in the negatives.