Question

If x is a rational number and y is the opposite of x, why do x and y have the same absolute value

Answer 1

Answer:

Absolute value is the distance away from zero, so if x is a rational number and y is opposite, they would both be the same distance away from zero, regardless of their sign.  

Step-by-step explanation:

Absolute value is the distance of a number away from zero.  For example, if x is equal to the rational number -2, the absolute value of -2 is just 2, given that both 2 and -2 are only a distance of 2 away from the number zero.  Think of it as your walk or drive to school.  If you live 4 miles from school, you drive a distance of 4 miles there and 4 miles back.  That distance is not calculated as a positive 4 miles there and a negative 4 miles back, but rather just 4 miles there and 4 miles back, for a total distance of 8 miles.  So, if x=4 and y=(-4), the absolute value of both would be 4.