Final answer:
The absolute value of Jamal's account balance -$1256.38 is $1256.38, which is the distance from zero without its negative sign, as per the rules of absolute values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the absolute value of an account balance. The absolute value of a number is the distance of that number from zero on a number line without considering its sign (positive or negative). Therefore, the absolute value of Jamal's account balance, which is -$1256.38, is $1256.38. The correct answer is option a. $1256.38.