4. Hailey is trying to identify a number. She knows the opposite of the number is 2 and the absolute value of the number is 2 .

Hailey's problem can be understood better by recalling some essential mathematical concepts. The opposite of a number, also known as its additive inverse, is found by negating it. So if the opposite of her number is 2, then the number itself must be -2. Meanwhile, the absolute value of a number represents its distance from zero, disregarding direction. In this case, if the absolute value is 2, the number could either be 2 or -2. It's common to mix up the concepts of absolute value and opposites! A good tip is to remember that the absolute value always results in a non-negative number, while the opposite of a number can shift it either direction on the number line. Keeping these definitions straight can save you from making mistakes in similar problems!