absolute value

noun Mathematics.

1. Also called numerical value. the magnitude of a quantity, irrespective of sign; the distance of a quantity from zero. The absolute value of a number is symbolized by two vertical lines, as |3| or |−3| is equal to 3.
2. the square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a given complex number, as |a + bi| is equal to .

noun maths

1. the positive real number equal to a given real but disregarding its sign. Written | x |. Where r is positive, | r | = r = | – r |
2. Also called: modulus a measure of the magnitude of a complex number, represented by the length of a line in the Argand diagram: | x + i y | = √(x ² + y ²), so | 4 + 3i | = 5

1. The value of a number without regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of +3 (written |;+3|;) and the absolute value of -3 (written |;-3|;) are both 3.