What does absolute value represent in mathematical terms?

Absolute value, in mathematical terms, represents the magnitude of a number without regard to its sign, which corresponds to the distance from zero on the number line. This means that for any real number, its absolute value is defined as its distance from zero, which is always a non-negative value. For instance, both -5 and 5 have an absolute value of 5 because they are both 5 units away from zero on the number line.

While the other options mention related concepts, they do not accurately define absolute value. For example, while absolute value does relate to the value without its sign, the more precise interpretation is its reflection of distance from zero. Hence, the answer correctly reflects the foundational understanding of what absolute value represents.