Question

What is the absolute value of -5?

Answer 1

Hint: Here, first we need to understand the meaning of absolute value of a number. Now, to find the absolute value of -5 take its modulus and use the fact that the modulus of any number whether positive or negative is always positive. Remove the modulus sign by making the numerical value positive.

Complete step by step solution:
Here we have been provided with a number -5 and we are asked to find its absolute value. First we need to understand the meaning of the absolute value of a number or expression.
Now, in mathematics the absolute value of a number is its numerical value without considering the sign. It is obtained by taking the number inside the modulus function which makes it positive. The absolute value of any number (whether positive or negative) is always positive in nature. Suppose we have a positive number n so its modulus will be given as $\left| n \right|=n$. In case we have n as a negative number then its modulus will be given as $\left| n \right|=-\left( n \right)$. Here n is negative so its negative form will be positive.
Let us come to the question. We have the number -5 which is negative so its modulus will be given as: -
$\begin{align}
  & \Rightarrow \left| -5 \right|=-\left( -5 \right) \\
 & \therefore \left| -5 \right|=5 \\
\end{align}$
Hence, the absolute value of -5 is 5.

Note: You must remember the properties of modulus function because it is used in solving linear inequalities. Always remember that if $n\ge 0$ then $\left| n \right|=n$ and if $n\le 0$ then $\left| n \right|=-\left( n \right)$. Note that these concepts of modulus are used in chemistry and physics in the chapter Thermodynamics where we find the heat transfer among the system and surroundings. The negative value of heat only means that it is flowing in the direction opposite to that direction in which we have considered the heat flow as positive. Also, if you see a vector written as $-2\hat{i}$ then that does not mean that the magnitude of a vector is negative but it only means the direction of the vector is towards the negative x axis.