Evaluate each expression. |-4|

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the vertical bars around a number represent the absolute value.
2. The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction.
3. For any negative number, the absolute value is the positive version of that number.
4. Apply this concept to the given expression: |-4|.
5. Convert -4 to its positive counterpart, which is 4.

Key Concepts

Absolute Value

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. It is denoted by two vertical bars surrounding the number, such as |x|. For example, |4| equals 4, and |-4| also equals 4, as both numbers are 4 units away from zero.

Properties of Absolute Value

Absolute value has specific properties that are essential for calculations. One key property is that |a| = a if a is non-negative, and |a| = -a if a is negative. This means that the absolute value function always returns a non-negative result, which is crucial for evaluating expressions involving absolute values.

Evaluating Expressions

Evaluating an expression involves substituting values into the expression and simplifying it to find a numerical result. In the case of |-4|, you apply the definition of absolute value to determine the output. Understanding how to evaluate expressions is fundamental in algebra, as it forms the basis for solving equations and inequalities.