what is the difference between |-3| and -3? I need to know because I'm really confused I thought they were the same thing

Answer 1

|..?..| always yields the positive result of whater ..?.. is

so, |-3) = 3
|3| = 3
|5-18| = |-13| = 13

and of course -3 = -3
etc

Answer 2

thank you