Write or type a vertical line: I.
Insert the number for which you are calculating absolute value: I 7.
Add a line to the right of the number: I 7 I
Draw or type an equal sign after the second vertical line: I 7 I =
Write the answer on the right side of the equal sign. If the number is positive, you simply write the number. If the number is negative, you write the number without the negative sign. For example, you could write I 7 I = 7 or I -7 I = 7.