Absolute Value and the Number Line Flashcards

Grade 6 · Math · Flashcards

Key concepts for absolute value and the number line in Grade 6 math.

Flashcards

Absolute value: Distance from zero on the number line — result is always ≥ 0
|−12| = ?: 12 — the distance from −12 to zero is 12 units
|0| = ?: 0 — zero is already at zero, so distance is 0
Opposite numbers: Pairs equidistant from zero on opposite sides: −5 and 5
Number line direction: Left = smaller (more negative); right = larger (more positive)
Ordering negatives: −10 < −3 because −10 is further left (further from 0 in the negative direction)
Two numbers with |x| = 6: 6 and −6 — both are 6 units from zero
Distance between two numbers: |a − b| — e.g. distance from −3 to 5 is |5−(−3)| = 8
Real-world absolute value: Temperature below zero: −15°F. Absolute value 15 = how far below zero
Absolute value vs negative: − means direction (left); absolute value means distance (no direction)
Is −100 or 50 greater?: 50 — on the number line, 50 is to the right of −100
Symbol for absolute value: Vertical bars around the number: |x|