How this calculator works
Absolute value removes the direction indicated by a sign. Positive numbers stay unchanged, negative numbers become positive and zero remains zero. It measures distance along a number line, so it cannot be negative.
Formula
|x| = x when x >= 0; |x| = -x when x < 0.
Worked example
The distance of -12.5 from zero is 12.5, so |-12.5| = 12.5. For 8, the answer is simply 8.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the absolute value of zero?
Zero. It is already at the origin.
Is absolute value the same as rounding?
No. The sign changes when needed, but the decimal digits stay the same.
How do I find the distance between two values?
Subtract one from the other, then take the absolute value. The distance between -3 and 5 is |-3 - 5| = 8.