Discuss the difference between |-12| and - 12

See below.

Step-by-step explanation:

-12 is simply the number - 12. It is a negative number. It is located 12 units to the left of zero on the number line (where right of zero is positive, and left of zero is negative).

|-12| is "absolute value of - 12"

The absolute value of a number is the distance the number is from zero on the number line. A distance can be zero or a positive number, but never a negative number. The distance from the number - 12 to 0 on the number line is 12 units. The absolute value of - 12 is 12. The absolute value of a number is non-negative. That means it can be zero or positive, but it cannot be negative.

The sign inside the absolute value would change it from negative to positive.