Can an absolute value be negative?

No. Absolute value is a distance, so it is 0 or positive. But −|5| is −5, because the minus sign is outside the bars.

What grade is this absolute value worksheet for?

It is written for grade 6 and matches Common Core standard 6.NS.C.7c.

Can I get a different version of this absolute value worksheet?

Yes. Use the free Mathify Kids test maker to make a new absolute value worksheet with different numbers every time, with its own answer key.

Absolute value worksheets

Fifty absolute value questions: single values, sums of absolute values, the absolute value of a difference, and opposites such as −|−11|.

Download the free absolute value worksheet (PDF)

Absolute value worksheet

PDF · US Letter · Grade 6 · 50 questions · answer key included

Download the PDF

What’s on the worksheet

50 questions on absolute value, sized for US Letter paper
2 pages of questions plus an answer key on the last page
Written for grade 6, matching Common Core 6.NS.C.7c
Name and date lines at the top, and room to show the work

Preview the worksheet and answer key

Make a new absolute value worksheet

Need another page for extra practice, a retake or a second group in class? The free Mathify Kids test maker builds a fresh absolute value worksheet with different numbers every time. Choose how many questions, print it with its own answer key, or let your child take it on screen and see the score straight away.

Make a new version

Absolute value: a worked example (|−9| and −|−11|)

Absolute value is the distance from 0, so |−9| = 9.
In −|−11|, work inside the bars first: |−11| = 11.
Then the minus sign outside makes it negative: −|−11| = −11.
For |2 − 9|, work out the subtraction inside the bars first: 2 − 9 = −7. Then take the absolute value: |−7| = 7.
For |4| + |−9|, find each absolute value first: 4 + 9 = 13.

How to use it at home and in class

At home

Have your child say “how far from zero?” every time they see the bars. Draw a number line from −15 to 15 at the top of the page for the first few questions. When there are bars and a minus sign, always work inside the bars first, then apply the sign outside. Ten problems a day works better than a whole sheet at once. Mark them together with the answer key, then ask your child to explain one they got wrong: finding the mistake themselves is where the learning happens.

In class

Use the first row as a warm-up, a full page for independent practice, or five questions as an exit ticket. For a retake or a second group, make a new version with the test maker so every child gets different numbers.

Mistakes to watch for

Writing a negative absolute value, like |−9| = −9.
Dropping the minus sign outside the bars, so −|−11| = 11.
Working out |2 − 9| as 2 − 9 = −7 and stopping there, instead of taking the absolute value: 7.
Adding the signed numbers in |4| + |−9| to get −5, instead of 4 + 9 = 13.

What to practice before and after absolute value

Before: multiplying and dividing integers. If this sheet is a struggle, go back a step.
After: integer word problems, once this one is mostly right.
Learn it first: the absolute value lesson.