Any number greater than 0 or on the right side of 0 on a number line.

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 a number paired with a point on the negative side of a number line (left of 0).

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the distance a number is from 0 WITHOUT REGARD FOR LEFT OR RIGHT.

| 4 | = 4  

| - 5 | = 5

but - | - 7 |= - 7

and | 4 - 8| = |- 5| = 5  not | 4 + 8|= 12

Absolute value signs can be used as a parenthesis, so perform operations inside first.

The 8 did not become positive inside the absolute value signs.  .

Absolute value will always be non-negative either positive or 0.

What is the opposite of good?   bad

What is the opposite of 3 ?  - 3

What is the opposite of - 4  ? positive 4

You change the sign of the number when looking for the opposite of the number.

Do NOT confuse with absolute value.

absolute value of 13

or 

|13|

3,200

this is oppposite of - 34 which is

positive 34 or simply 34

opposite of - 678

positive 678

- | -35|

           | -35| = 35  

but you still have beginning negative that we haven't used yet 

- | -35| = - 35

| -3 + 5|

work inside like it is a parenthesis.

- 3 + 5  = 2

|  2|  now take absolute value

which is 2