The following formula is used to calculate an absolute value:
\[ X = Y \times -1 \quad \text{(if Y is negative)} \]
\[ X = Y \times 1 \quad \text{(if Y is positive)} \]
The absolute value of a number or equation is another word for the magnitude of a value. Sometimes numbers are positive or negative but have the same magnitude.
Let’s say you have a toy car positioned on a table. If the car moves 10 FT forward, this number would be considered positive, and the absolute value would be 10. Now let’s say that same car moves 10 FT backward. This movement would be represented as -10 FT. The absolute value of that number is 10. So even though the car traveled in opposite directions, the magnitude of that distance is still the same.
