Comparing absolute values 2

Comparing absolute values 2
Description
Exercise Name:	Comparing absolute values 2
Math Missions:	6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission
Types of Problems:	3

The Comparing absolute values 2 exercise appears under the 6th grade (U.S.) Math Mission. This exercise practices comparing numbers with absolute values.

Types of Problems

There are three types of problems in this exercise.

1. Order the following values from least to greatest: This problem gives the user a set of numbers, some of them including absolute value brackets. The user is asked to order these numbers from least to greatest by dragging the numbers around.

   

2. Which of the following are possible values for ${x}$?: This problem gives an inequality and a section of possible answers. The user is asked to find out which of the answers are possible values for ${x}$.

   

3. Use the following number line to determine if the expressions are true or false.: This problem gives a number line with two points: a and b. This problem also gives some expressions to describe the relationship between ${a}$ and ${b}$. The user is asked to see if these expressions are either true or false.

   

Strategies

1. It is important to remember how absolute value brackets work. The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero. In mathematics, the absolute value (or modulus) ${x}$ of a real number ${x}$ is the non-negative value of ${x}$ without regard to its sign.
2. Absolute value is always positive.

Real-life Applications

1. Absolute values are used in physics and calculus to define certain situations, i.e. you want to know how far something traveled when it went 5 ft. one way and 5 ft. back.