Absolute value Definition and 368 Threads

In mathematics, the absolute value or modulus of a real number x, denoted |x|, is the non-negative value of x without regard to its sign. Namely, |x| = x if x is positive, and |x| = −x if x is negative (in which case −x is positive), and |0| = 0. For example, the absolute value of 3 is 3, and the absolute value of −3 is also 3. The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero.
Generalisations of the absolute value for real numbers occur in a wide variety of mathematical settings. For example, an absolute value is also defined for the complex numbers, the quaternions, ordered rings, fields and vector spaces. The absolute value is closely related to the notions of magnitude, distance, and norm in various mathematical and physical contexts.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. D

    How does a norm differ from an absolute value?

    How does a norm differ from an absolute value? For example, is \|\mathbf{x}\| = \sqrt{x_1^2 + \cdots + x_n^2} any different than |\mathbf{x}| = \sqrt{x_1^2 + \cdots + x_n^2} ??
  2. U

    Complex Function: Real & Imaginary Parts, Square, Reciprocal & Absolute Value

    I am to find the imaginary part, real part, square, reciprocal, and absolut value of the complex function: y(x,t)=ie^{i(kx-\omega t)} y(x,t)=i\left( cos(kx- \omega t)+ i sin(kx- \omega t) \right) y(x,t)=icos(kx- \omega t)-sin(kx- \omega t) the imaginary part is cos(kx- \omega t) the...
  3. G

    Graphing Absolute Value Equations on a TI83+ Calculator

    Hi How do you graph absolute value equations on graphing calculator (TI83+)?
  4. T

    Are [a,b) and (a,b] Homeomorphic in Absolute Value Topology?

    Hi all, I have the following question. Are the following spaces homeomorphic in the real number space with absolute value topology? 1) [a,b) and (a,b] 2) (a,b) and (r,s)U(u,v) where r < s < u < v. For 1), I got that they are not homeomorphic because it fails the topological property that...
  5. T

    Absolute value and the floor function

    What formulas define these functions?
  6. N

    Absolute Value Equation. (alg.2)

    I got this wrong is my quiz and i still don't get it. Find the value of k so that equation has the solution of -8. |x-2| = k Thanks.
  7. S

    Understanding Absolute Value Sign in Derivative

    Hi So I am a little confused about the absolute value sign here. Is the derivative right: [x-1/|x-1|]e^x + |x-1|e^x But what do I do when I set this to zero? Do I get two expressions, one for x>1 and one for x<1 ? (thus removing the absolute value signs)
  8. K

    Is |\sin x|=-\sin x as x Approaches 0-?

    Is it correct that |\sin x|=-\sin x as x\rightarrow 0-? It's clear for a function like y=x, but I ask the question since the sine oscillates from positive to negative values, so for different x's the abs. value is either pos. or neg. Or do I only need to consider values of x that are between...
  9. C

    Simple absolute value problem with inequalities

    "Simple" absolute value problem with inequalities OK...Im totally stuck and could use some help :) given...for all e>0, d>0...the following holds |x-a|<d => |f(x) - f(a)| < e where f(x) = sqrt(x) how do I find d in terms of e? Thanks in advance
  10. A

    How do you calculate e^h if h=ln(absolute x)?

    if h=ln(absolute x) then how do you calculate e^h?
  11. S

    Is the Absolute Value of an Integrable Function Also Integrable?

    hello all Iv been working on a lot of integrability questions and I am having trouble with this problem let f be integrable on [a,b] then show that |f| is integrable and that |\int_{a}^{b}f|\le \int_{a}^{b}|f| now this is what i know \int_{a}^{b^U}f =\int_{a_{L}}^{b}f= \int_{a}^{b}f...
  12. A

    Program for absolute value graphs

    Is there any program online that can draw graphs ie. absolute value graphs, quadratics, cubics ...
  13. M

    How Does Shifting Affect the Function f(x)?

    If f(x+a1) = x^2 + x + 2 then what is f(x-a) Please help!
  14. M

    How Do You Solve Absolute Value and Quadratic Inequalities?

    (|2x-3| + x) / (x^2 - 3x + 2) < 1 |(x^2 - 5x + 4) / ( x^2 - 4)| =< 1 Can somebody help me with this quadratic inequalities, please... If you have time, please also give me an idea of how you solved them... Thank you!
  15. B

    Why Does the Limit of |x+4|/x+4 Equal 4 as x Approaches -4 from the Right?

    Compute the limit of: (absolute value) f(x) = 4 (absolute value of x + 4) / (x+4) as x approaches -4 from the right. I got 4 because x>-4. Am I right?
  16. G

    Double integral with absolute value of x-y

    int(int(abs(x-y)*6*x^2*y)) the range of x and y are 0,1. Normally i'd check to split it up and change the limits, but i think my brain is broken because I'm not seeing it at the moment. simple question that i need to know how to do for stats without using maple :P
  17. G

    Precalc absolute value fuction

    Detemine |X-16| - |X-2| = ? given X<7
Back
Top