Absolute value

Updated: 12/31/2022 by Computer Hope

Sometimes called a numerical value, the absolute value is the non-negative value of a real number without regard for its sign. For example, the absolute value of both "12" and "-12" is 12.

When writing absolute value, you can use two vertical lines around a number to represent absolute value. For example:

|-7| = 7

Is short for "the absolute value of -7 is 7."

To add vertical lines around a number on a computer, type a | (pipe) before and after the number. To type a pipe character, press the Shift and \ (backslash) keys.

Number