In Exercises 67–74, express the distance between the given numbers using absolute value. Then find the distance by evaluating the absolute value expression. 2 and 17

Absolute value is a mathematical function that measures the distance of a number from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. It is denoted by two vertical bars, for example, |x|. For any real number x, |x| is equal to x if x is positive or zero, and -x if x is negative. This concept is crucial for understanding how to express distances between numbers.

The distance between two numbers on the number line can be calculated using the absolute value of their difference. Specifically, the distance d between two numbers a and b is given by the formula d = |a - b|. This formula allows us to quantify how far apart the two numbers are, which is essential for solving problems involving distances.

Evaluating an absolute value expression involves substituting the values into the expression and simplifying it to find the numerical distance. For example, to find the distance between 2 and 17, we would evaluate |2 - 17|. This process not only reinforces the concept of absolute value but also provides a practical application in determining distances in various contexts.