ResourceMAP - Absolute Value - Teacher Edition

ResourceMAP modules are relatively short and designed for flexible implementation; that is, they can be used in regular classes as well as in special test-preparation settings. Each module contains a set of contextual problems in several formats: multi-part open response, short response, and multiple-choice. Accompanying the problem set are tip sheets that serve several purposes including lists of formulas, calculator instruction, and brief reviews of the module's underlying mathematics. Also provided are teacher notes (the module purpose, the mathematical focus, and implementation commentary), answers to all problems, and (in a few cases) handout masters.

Absolute Value

There are two ideas that may come to mind when absolute value is involved. One
idea is that numbers can be broken up into two parts—a sign and an amount; the
amount is equal to the absolute value of the number. The other is to think about
distances between two points on a number line. Since distance is never expressed as
a negative amount, one way to calculate that distance would be by always subtracting
the smaller number from the larger one. An easier way is to simply subtract the two
numbers in any order, then find the absolute value of that answer. In this module,
we explore both interpretations of absolute value—as an amount and as a distance.