User blog comment:Ailourophile/Genderswapped/Polar Opposite Usernames?/@comment-4705471-20130506231331/@comment-5588400-20130508000053

Yes, they have the same absolute values meaning they are 2 digits away from zero, HOWEVER, when adding 2 and -2, you get a zero. If they were the same number, you'd get 4 or -4. Zero is not positive nor is it negative. Just like how subatomic particles of an atom [(Proton (+) and an Electron (-)] cancel each of their charges out, making it neutral (like a neutron).

Another example could be used with acids and bases. Similarily, if you have a solution with a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions (AKA: an acid), you would need to neutralize it with something that has a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions (You guessed it! Bases!). That's why baking soda (base) and vinegar (acid) have a reaction when you mix them (it may be because of the hydrogen atoms forming molecules since the valence electrons complement each other and because hydrogen is highly reactive in nature). Actually, two reactions happen, but I'm not getting into all that, lol.

Just a note: Absolute value is generally used when measuring distance/depth, from my experience.

TL;DR version: 2 and -2 cancel each other out, so they're opposites.

God, I need a hobby.