Evaluate the Absolute Value Expression: |-2|

Q: Why does |-2| equal 2 and not -2?

Absolute value measures distance, and distance is always positive! Think of it like asking "How far is -2 from zero?" The answer is 2 units away, so $ |-2| = 2 $.

Q: How do I remember what absolute value does?

Think of absolute value as "how many steps from zero?" Whether you go 2 steps left (-2) or 2 steps right (+2), you're still 2 steps away from zero.

Q: Can absolute value ever be negative?

Never! Absolute value always gives a positive result (or zero). Distance cannot be negative - you can't be "-3 steps" away from something.

Q: What does |0| equal?

$ |0| = 0 $ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself! This is the only time absolute value equals zero.

Absolute Value with Negative Numbers

$\left|-2\right|=$

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Understand the problem

$\left|-2\right|=$

Step-by-step solution

When we have an exercise with these symbols || we understand that it refers to absolute value.

Absolute value does not relate to whether a number is positive or negative, but rather checks how far it is from zero.

In other words, 2 is 2 units away from zero, and -2 is also 2 units away from zero,

Therefore, absolute value essentially "zeroes out" the negativity of the number.

|-2| = 2

Final Answer

$2$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Definition: Absolute value measures distance from zero on number line
Technique: Remove negative sign: $|-2| = 2$
Check: Both 2 and -2 are exactly 2 units from zero ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Thinking absolute value keeps the negative sign
Don't write |-2| = -2 because you see the negative inside! This misunderstands that absolute value always gives the positive distance. Always remember: absolute value removes negativity and gives the positive distance from zero.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Determine the absolute value of the following number:

$\left|18\right|=$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why does |-2| equal 2 and not -2?

Absolute value measures distance, and distance is always positive! Think of it like asking "How far is -2 from zero?" The answer is 2 units away, so $|-2| = 2$ .

What if the number inside is already positive?

If the number is already positive, absolute value doesn't change it! For example, $|3| = 3$ because 3 is already 3 units from zero.

How do I remember what absolute value does?

Think of absolute value as "how many steps from zero?" Whether you go 2 steps left (-2) or 2 steps right (+2), you're still 2 steps away from zero.

Can absolute value ever be negative?

Never! Absolute value always gives a positive result (or zero). Distance cannot be negative - you can't be "-3 steps" away from something.

What does |0| equal?

$|0| = 0$ because zero is exactly 0 units away from itself! This is the only time absolute value equals zero.

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