Here-
When your number is positive on the inside, It comes out positive.
When your number is negative on the inside, It comes out negative.
When your number is positive on the inside with a negative on the outside, it is negative.
When your number is negative on the inside and negative on the outside, it is negative.
So, absolute value of 9.8 is 9.8 and the absolute value of -10/3 is 10/3.