Integers & Absolute Value

Integers

This is lesson one on integers. You will mainly learn the basics about integers.

What are integers?

Integers are positive and negative whole numbers, including zero!

Integers do NOT include decimals or fractions.

Multiple Select

Warm-up Question #1 -

Which numbers are NOT integers?

• 0

• -3

• 1/2

• 0.75

Which of those numbers was NOT an integer? Why?

Answer this question as a class.

Answer:

-5.5 & 0.5 were not integers. They are not integers because they are decimals. Decimals can not be integers.

Do you have a basic understanding of what integers are so far?

If not, ask your questions now!

Absolute Value

The absolute value of a number is the distance that number is from zero. Another way to think about this is how many steps away is our number away from zero.

For example, 6 is 6 steps away from zero.

#1

Now that we understand that distance is always positive. We can understand that the absolute value (distance from zero) is always positive. 

The absolute value of 4 is 4. 

Also, the absolute value of -4 is 4. 

Open Ended

The absolute value of 4 is 4.

Also, the absolute value of -4 is 4.

What do you notice about the two situations above?

#2

How do we write the absolute value of something? What does the symbol look like?

The symbol for absolute value is two straight lines around a number. |x|

The absolute value of 7 is 7. This can be written as.. |7| = 7 -- We read this to say, “the absolute value of 7 equals 7.”

The absolute value of -7 is 7. This can be written as… |-7| = 7 -- We read this to say, “the absolute value of negative 7 equals 7.”

#3

When there is a negative in front of the absolute value sign we say we are taking the opposite of the absolute value. 

|5| The absolute value of 5. |5| = 5

-|5| The opposite of the absolute value of 5. -|5| = -5

|-5| The absolute value of negative 5. |-5| = 5

-|-5| The opposite of the absolute value of negative 5. -|-5| = -5

That's all for today! If you have any questions, ask now!

If there aren't any questions, please go ahead and start on your math work for today.