Number line and opposites

Overview

Drag a point on the number line to see opposites and absolute value.

Explanation

The opposite of a is the number −a: same distance from the origin, opposite direction.
On the number line, a and −a are symmetric about the origin.
Hence |−a| = |a|: both are the same distance from zero.

How to use

Drag the red point; the blue point is its opposite. Scroll to zoom.

Knowledge points

• Number line
• Absolute value