Math & Algebra Tool

Absolute Difference Calculator

Calculate the non-negative difference between two numbers.

Σ The Formula

|x - y|

Real World Examples

Positive Difference
|10 - 3| = 7
Negative Result Inside
|5 - 12| = |-7| = 7
Decimals
|15.5 - 20.2| = |-4.7| = 4.7

# About This Calculator

The absolute difference between two real numbers is the non-negative value of their difference. Geometrically, it represents the distance between two points on a number line, regardless of which one is larger.

The formula for absolute difference is $|x - y|$. Because the absolute value function $|a|$ always returns a positive value (or zero), the order of subtraction does not matter: $|x - y| = |y - x|$.

This concept is widely used in error analysis (calculating the absolute error between a measured value and a true value), statistics (mean absolute deviation), and computer science (measuring similarity or distance between data points).

Our calculator provides a quick and the easiest way to find the distance between any two numbers, whether they are positive, negative, or decimal values.

How To Use

  1. Enter the first number (x).
  2. Enter the second number (y).
  3. Click "Calculate Absolute Difference".

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between difference and absolute difference?+

A standard difference (x - y) can be positive or negative. An absolute difference (|x - y|) is always non-negative (zero or positive) because it only measures the 'size' of the gap between numbers.

Does the order of numbers matter?+

No. For absolute difference, |10 - 3| is 7, and |3 - 10| is also 7. The result is always the distance between the two points.

Can the absolute difference be negative?+

No. By definition, an absolute value is never negative. It will always be 0 or greater.

Is Absolute Difference Calculator free to use?+

Yes, Absolute Difference Calculator on Matheric is completely free to use. We believe in accessible education and utility for everyone.

How accurate is Absolute Difference Calculator?+

We use standard mathematical formulas and high-precision computing algorithms to ensure results for Absolute Difference Calculator are accurate for academic and professional use.

Can I use Absolute Difference Calculator on my phone?+

Yes! Absolute Difference Calculator is fully responsive and optimized for all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

About

The absolute difference between two real numbers is the non-negative value of their difference. Geometrically, it represents the distance between two points on a number line, regardless of which one is larger.

The formula for absolute difference is $|x - y|$. Because the absolute value function $|a|$ always returns a positive value (or zero), the order of subtraction does not matter: $|x - y| = |y - x|$.

This concept is widely used in error analysis (calculating the absolute error between a measured value and a true value), statistics (mean absolute deviation), and computer science (measuring similarity or distance between data points).

Our calculator provides a quick and the easiest way to find the distance between any two numbers, whether they are positive, negative, or decimal values.

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