Florida B.E.S.T. MA.6.NSO.1.4
The Standard
Solve mathematical and real-world problems involving absolute value, including the comparison of absolute value.
Florida B.E.S.T. Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students treat absolute value as a number’s distance from zero. They find and compare absolute values, then use those comparisons to solve problems involving quantities above and below a reference point.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly evaluate expressions such as |−9| and compare values such as |−9| and |6|. They explain each answer using distance from zero and apply that reasoning to temperatures, elevations, or account changes.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think absolute value always means making a number positive. They may compare the original integers instead of their distances from zero. Some confuse greater absolute value with greater numerical value.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: “At noon, two temperatures are −7°F and 4°F. Which has the greater absolute value, and what does that mean?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place integer cards on a floor number line, then use string to measure each card’s distance from zero and compare the lengths.
Ask students to explain why |−12| is greater than |8| even though −12 is less than 8.
Play Absolute Value War with integer cards, where partners reveal cards and the player with the greater absolute value keeps both.
Compare daily high and low temperatures by finding which temperature is farther from zero and explaining the result in context.
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Printable MA.6.NSO.1.4 Worksheet
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Related Standards
- MA.912.AR.4.1
Given a mathematical or real-world context, write and solve one-variable absolute value equations.
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- MA.912.AR.4.4
Solve and graph mathematical and real-world problems that are modeled with absolute value functions. Interpret key features and determine constraints in terms o...
- MA.912.AR.4.2
Given a mathematical or real-world context, write and solve one-variable absolute value inequalities. Represent solutions algebraically or graphically.
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