Evaluate the absolute value of \( -8 \).

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of direction. So, for the number \( -8 \), its absolute value is \( 8 \). This means that no matter if we're talking about \( -8 \) or \( 8 \), both are 8 units away from zero. Thus, the absolute value of \( -8 \) is \( 8 \). Additionally, another fun aspect of absolute values is their relationship with real-life situations. For example, if you owe $8 (represented by -8) or you have $8 (represented by 8), you always consider the amount in terms of how far it is from zero, which is $8 in either case. So remember, whether it's a matter of checking your bank balance or measuring distance, absolute values help us capture the full picture without getting bogged down by the negatives!