Question

find the absolute value.
\left|-5\frac{1}{2}\
ight|
\left|-5\frac{1}{2}\
ight| = \square
(type an integer, fraction, or m

Explanation:

Step1: Recall absolute value definition

The absolute value of a number \( |x| \) is its distance from 0 on the number line, so \( |x| = x \) if \( x \geq 0 \), and \( |x| = -x \) if \( x < 0 \). Here, \( x = -5\frac{1}{2} \), which is negative.

Step2: Apply absolute value rule

For \( x = -5\frac{1}{2} \), \( | -5\frac{1}{2} | = -(-5\frac{1}{2}) = 5\frac{1}{2} \). We can also write \( 5\frac{1}{2} \) as an improper fraction: \( 5\frac{1}{2}=\frac{11}{2} \), but the mixed number is also acceptable.

Answer:

\( 5\frac{1}{2} \) (or \( \frac{11}{2} \))