The distance form Lloydminster to High Prairie is about \(600\) km. Does this mean that the distance from High Prairie to Lloydminster is \(–600\) km?

Sometimes the size of a number is more important than its sign. For example, a negative sign is not required to convey the distance between two cities. When only the size of a number is required, an absolute value can be used.

In Lesson 6.1, you will

  • relate absolute values to distances on a number line,
  • evaluate expressions containing absolute values,
  • graph absolute value functions, and
  • interpret absolute value functions.