The distance a number is from zero on a number line.  Absolute values are always positive.

| -1 | = 1        | 5 | = 5         | -6 | = 6

The large number in a problem containing exponents.  It is the number that is repeated in a multiplication problem.

5²= 5 x 5,  5 is the base

17⁴= 17 x 17 x 17 x 17, 17 is the base