Absolute Value Calculator
Find the absolute value (magnitude) of any real number and its distance from zero.
Inputs
Absolute Value
42.700000
Original Number
-42.700000
Was Negative?
Yes
Step by step
Identify the number
= -42.7
Number is negative — remove the sign
|-42.7| = 42.7
= 42.7
How it works
The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. For any real number x, |x| = x if x ≥ 0, and |x| = −x if x < 0.
Formula
Absolute Value
|x| = x if x ≥ 0; |x| = −x if x < 0
- x
- Any real number
Frequently Asked Questions
Is absolute value always positive?
It is always non-negative. |0| = 0, and for any non-zero number x, |x| > 0.
What is the absolute value used for?
It measures magnitude or distance. Common uses include error measurement (|measured − actual|), distance between points, and defining intervals on the number line.