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Explain absolute value using a number line. Why are 12|12| and 12|-12| equal?

Question: Explain absolute value using a number line. Why are 12|12| and 12|-12| equal?

Sample answer: Absolute value is a number's distance from 00. Distance is never negative. Both 1212 and 12-12 are 1212 units from 00, so 12=12=12|12|=|-12|=12.

Key points:

  • Absolute value is distance from 00.
  • Distance is never negative.
  • 1212 and 12-12 are both 1212 units from 00.
  • 12=12=12|12|=|-12|=12.

Rubric: The response should define absolute value as distance from 00 and explain that 1212 and 12-12 have equal absolute values because they are the same distance from 00.

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Updated 2026-08-11

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