Absolute value as distance
Understand the absolute value of a rational number as its distance from zero on the number line; interpret absolute value as magnitude in real-world contexts; distinguish absolute value comparisons from ordering statements
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Absolute value as distance means practising the idea at the table with counters or paper models and one clear check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: Two colours of counters; Paper for ratio or percent notation. 1. Say the goal of Absolute value as distance in plain words once. 2. Adult shows 2 red : 3 blue and says the ratio (or 40% of 10). 3. Child builds three ratios or percentage amounts and records each notation. 4. Fresh check: one fresh ratio or percent reading. Record and stop. Done: three correct ratio/percent records. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
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Start practiceAbsolute value as distance practice
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Learning resources
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PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Number Line: Integers
Before you open · source notes
Number Line: Integers supports hands-on exploration for Absolute value as distance. Not every lab worksheet.
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Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
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Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Number Line: Integers.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
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Check understanding
- Define absolute value as distance from zero on a number line
- Calculate the absolute value of positive and negative rational numbers
- Distinguish between comparing absolute values and comparing signed numbers in real-world contexts
“Can your child tell you that the absolute value of −7 is 7 — because it's 7 steps from zero on a number line regardless of direction — and use this idea to compare distances?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Domain
- Number Representation & Place Value
- Age range
- Ages 11–12
Standards