What is the absolute value of 1/2?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the absolute value of the fraction 1/2. The absolute value refers to the non-negative value of a number regardless of its sign. Since 1/2 is already positive, the absolute value is simply 1/2.
Answer
The absolute value of $\frac{1}{2}$ is $\frac{1}{2}$.
Answer for screen readers
The absolute value of $\frac{1}{2}$ is $\frac{1}{2}$.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the Absolute Value Definition
The absolute value of a number is defined as its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. It is denoted as $|x|$.
- Apply the Absolute Value to the Fraction
For the fraction $\frac{1}{2}$, since it is positive, the absolute value can be expressed as:
$$ \left|\frac{1}{2}\right| = \frac{1}{2} $$
- Conclude with the Result
The final result is simply the original value since the fraction is already positive.
The absolute value of $\frac{1}{2}$ is $\frac{1}{2}$.
More Information
The absolute value function is widely used in mathematics to simplify expressions, especially in solving equations where the sign matters. It ensures that the result is non-negative.
Tips
- Confusing absolute values with signed values: Some might mistakenly think that the absolute value can be negative, but it's always non-negative.
