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How many cases do you have after you remove the absolute value?
- 3, - 1
Before we can solve this equation, we need to isolate the absolute value expression using the Properties of Equality.
.LHS /6.=.RHS /6.
Write as a sum of fractions
Calculate quotient
An absolute value measures an expression's distance from a midpoint on a number line. |2x+5|= x+4
lc 2x+5 ≥ 0:2x+5 = (x+4) & (I) 2x+5 < 0:2x+5 = - (x+4) & (II)
(II): Distribute - 1
(I), (II): LHS-5=RHS-5
(I): LHS-x=RHS-x
(II): LHS+x=RHS+x
(II): .LHS /3.=.RHS /3.
When solving an absolute value equation, it is important to check for extraneous solutions. We can check our answers by substituting them back into the original equation. Let's start with -1.
x= -1
a(- b)=- a * b
Add terms
|3|=3
We will check -3 in the same way.
x= -3
a(- b)=- a * b
Add terms
|-1|=1
We see that both -1 and -3 satisfy the original equation.