Question

|7| What does this mean?

Answer 1

Absolute value of 7. Any real numbers in the absolute sign would equal to the positive value.

Definition

$\large \boxed{ |x| = \begin{cases} x \: \: \: \: (x \geqslant 0) \\ - x \: \: \: \: (x < 0) \end{cases}}$

If we substitute x = 7 in. Answer by using the definition of absolute value. Note that we only substitute x = 7 in x and not -x since 7 is greater than 0 and not less than 0.

$\large{ |7| = 7 \: \: \: \: (x \geqslant 0)}$

You may also be wondering what will happen if we substitute x = any negative numbers.

$\large{ | - 7| = - ( - 7) \: \: \: \: (x < 0)} \\ \large \boxed{ | - 7| = 7}$

Because -7 is less than 0. We substitute in -x and not x. This is the definition of absolute value. But to understand it easily, any numbers in absolute value have to equal to their positive value.

Conclusion

• |7| means the absolute value of 7.
• |7| is 7.
• |x| is x when x ≥ 0 but -x when x < 0

Let me know if you have any doubts regarding the absolute value through comment!