How Far From Zero
Absolute value asks one question and only one: how far from zero? Not which side. How far. And a distance is never negative.
Watching one first is a strong way to start.
Drag it, tap the line, or use the arrow keys.
- 1|−7| = −10−50510
- 2|4| = −10−50510
- 3|−3| = −10−50510
- 4|0| = −10−50510
- 5|−10| = −10−50510
- 6Mark the number 6 units from zero, on the left. = −10−50510
- 7|−8| = −10−50510
- 8Mark the number 9 units from zero, on the right. = −10−50510
- 9Mark the number 2 units from zero, on the left. = −10−50510
- 10|5| = −10−50510
There is no right answer here. It only tells your teacher where to start next time.
You answered all ten.
Every one was the same question in different clothes: how many ticks between zero and the number? The two bars either side of zero are the same length. That is the whole idea.
The stretch is a choice. Taking it — or leaving it for another day — are both strong moves.
For the teacher — this device only
One probe row, built from what happened on this screen. Nothing is sent anywhere — copy it into the Goal Builder yourself, or print this page. Independent means walked with no hints; supported means walked after a hint. Both are real evidence and neither is a grade.
- Date
- —
- Skill
- Absolute value as distance from zero
- Measure
- Trials (x of y)
- Independent
- 0 of 10
- Supported
- 0 of 10
- Hints used
- 0
- Confidence
- —
- Watched the demo
- —
- Stretch
- —
Seven items read |n|; three run it backwards — which number is 6 units from zero, on the left? Those are where a student who only memorized make it positive comes apart, because the answer is negative. Set 2 and Set 3 are the same skills with different numbers.