absoluuttimuuttuja

Absoluuttimuuttuja, known in English as absolute value, is a mathematical function that assigns a non-negative number to any given real number, regardless of its sign. It is denoted by two vertical bars enclosing the number, for example, |x|. The absolute value of a number x is defined as x if x is greater than or equal to zero, and as -x if x is less than zero. This means that for any non-negative number, its absolute value is the number itself, and for any negative number, its absolute value is its positive counterpart.

Geometrically, the absolute value of a number represents its distance from zero on the number line. For instance, the absolute value of 5 is 5 because it is 5 units away from zero. Similarly, the absolute value of -5 is also 5, as it is also 5 units away from zero. This property makes absolute value particularly useful in various mathematical and scientific contexts, such as in error analysis, calculating distances between points, and defining norms in vector spaces. The absolute value function is continuous and its graph forms a V-shape with the vertex at the origin.