1. Intro to Absolute Value
6.NS.7 (B)

2. Warm Up
OBJECTIVE: SWBAT use absolute values to determine the magnitudes of quantities.
At left is a compass with the 4 primary directions. If someone travels 100 miles to the west, do we say they have traveled -100 miles?
Explain why or why not.

3. Lesson Vocabulary and Language Objectives
Word
Definition
Example/Symbol
Absolute Value
a number’s distance from zero, distance is always measured in positive values
Absolute Value Symbol
“bracket-like” lines that inform one is calculating distance from zero
Magnitude
The size of distance in any given direction 3 -3 3 3 3

4. When we want to know distance from 0, we use Absolute Value.
Launch 1 – Intro to Absolute Value
When we want to know distance from 0, we use Absolute Value.
Carlos lives in the green house.
Rita 2
1) Explain how far away
Carlos’ friends live. 1 -2 -1 1 2
Eve
Pedro -1
2) Eve and Sam are at
-2. Explain how they
are positive 2
away from Carlos.
Absolute values are always positive. -2
Sam

5. Explore 1 – Magnitude of Quantities-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
3) Create an inequality statement (>, <) that relates the values represented by the green and red dots.
4) What are the absolute values of the quantities represented by the red and green dots?
5) Create an inequality statement that relates the absolute values of the dots.
6) Which number, 4 or -5, do you think has the greater magnitude? Explain.
Even though 4 is much larger than -5, -5 has a greater magnitude than 4. Absolute value proves this. Magnitude is the size of the distance in any given direction.

6. Explore 2 Hallway at Nia’s School
Library
Health
Spanish
Physics
Café
Gym
Math
ELA
Biology
The Café is in the middle of the school’s hallway. Nia just ate lunch in the Café. After lunch, she attended class 2 rooms to the right of the café (Math). She then went 5 rooms to the left of Math. After this class she traveled 3 rooms to the right.
7) In what room does Nia finish her day?
8) After leaving the café, how many total rooms did Nia either pass by or enter?
*Hint - if she passes or enters a room more than once, it should be counted again.
9) Assuming the Café is the number 0, write an equation that represents the answer to #7?
10) Assuming the Café is the number 0, write an equation that represents the answer to #8?
*Hint – you will need to use absolute value symbols.

7. Explore 2 Hallway at Nia’s School3 -5 2
Library
Health
Spanish
Physics
Cafe
Gym
Math
ELA
Biology
7) Nia finishes in the café.
8) Nia passes or enters 10 rooms.
9) – = (Distance from starting point)
10) (Absolute distance traveled)

8. Assessment Name:__________ Key to Leave Solve the following.
A diver is 15 feet below the surface of the water.
4) What number would represent his
position on a number line?
5) What number would represent the
distance/magnitude of his dive?