Exercise 5 Page 27

Because this is a question about your opinion, here we will only list one benefit and potential problem with each method. Maybe they will help you organize your thoughts about your own feelings!

Algebraic Method

• Benefit: As the equations become more intricate, with more steps required to solve, it will become more difficult to graph the solution. Solving algebraically will always be a viable option.

• Potential Problem: If you are not confident with solving equations, this may be a difficult method for you since you need to solve, not one but, two equations.

Graphical Method

• Benefit: It is easy to visualize the true meaning of an absolute value. You can see the center and see the distances from it.

• Potential Problem: Once the equations become more intricate, finding the center will become more difficult and it will be almost more work to graph than to solve algebraically.

Numerical Method

• Benefit: If you do not feel confident solving equations, it is basically just a systematic method of guessing and checking.
• Potential Problem: Once the equations because more intricate, it will be harder to choose your starting points for your guessing and checking. Also, if the solution is a fraction, this may be tricky.