What is the term for a number's distance from zero on a number line?

The term that describes a number's distance from zero on a number line is called absolute value. Absolute value represents the non-negative value of a number regardless of its sign. For instance, both +3 and -3 have an absolute value of 3 because they are both three units away from zero on the number line. This concept applies to all real numbers, thereby making the absolute value a crucial aspect of how we understand numbers in mathematical contexts, particularly when analyzing distance without regard to direction.

In contrast, magnitude generally refers to the size or quantity of something but is not a term specifically used for distance from zero in mathematics. A coordinate describes a specific location on a graph or number line, not its distance from a reference point. An integer is a type of number that can be positive, negative, or zero but does not inherently provide information about the distance from zero. Hence, absolute value is the most precise and relevant term for describing the distance of a number from zero on a number line.