Question 656826
Definition of absolute value: 

the absolute value of a number is the {{{distance}}} the number is from {{{zero}}}

{{{abs(-4)=4}}}


{{{cartoon( 
  number_line( 600, -10, 10,  B=-4, C=0 ), 
  number_line( 600, -10, 10,  B=4, C=0 ) 
   )}}}

as you can see from {{{-4}}} to {{{0}}} is same distance as from {{{4}}} to {{{0}}}; the distance is {{{4}}} units; it does not matter in what direction point moves