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Absolute Value Equations

  • Page ID
    221382
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    Absolute Value Equations

    Equations Involving Absolute Values

    To solve an equation that involves an absolute value, turn the equation into an "Or" statement.

    Example 

    Solve 

            |x|  =  2 


    Solution

            x  =  2 or x  =  -2


     

    Example

             |x + 1|  =  2


    Solution

            x + 1  =  2    or    x + 1  =  -2

            x  =  1     or     x  =  -3                  Subtracting 1 from both sides


    Example

            |3x - 4|  =  5 


    Solution

    We write

            3x - 4  =  5     or     3x - 4  =  -5

            3x  =  9     or     3x  =  -1                    Adding 4 to both sides

            x  =  3     or     x  =  -1/3                     Dividing by 3


    Example

            | 4x + 7|  =  -3

     

    Solution

    This equation has no solution, since an absolute value cannot be negative.


     

    Example

            | 2x - 6|  =  0

     

    Solution

    Since positive and negative 0 mean the same thing, we only need one equation

            2x - 6  =  0

            2x  =  6

            x  =  3


     

     

    Exercises

    Solve the following.  Put your mouse on the yellow rectangle to check your solution.

    1. |x|  =  6        
       

    2. |x - 3|  =  6    
       

    3. |x|  =  -4        
       

    4. |2x + 1|  =  7    


    Equations That have Absolute Value Signs on Both Sides



    If we have absolute value signs on both sides of the equation, we can play the same game with two choices as follows.

    Example:  

    Solve 

            |3x + 4|  =  | 2x - 3|

    Solution:

    We can write

            3x + 4  =  2x - 3      or     3x + 4  =  -(2x - 3)

            3x + 4  =  2x - 3     or     3x + 4  =  -2x + 3          Distributing the (-)

            3x  =  2x - 7     or     3x  =  -2x - 1                        Subtracting 4

            x  =  -7      or     5x  =  -1                                      Subtracting (Adding)  the 2x 

            x  =  -7     or      or x   =  -1/5                                    Dividing by 5

     



    Back to the Linear Equations and Inequalities Page

     

     

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