Absolute Value Solution

In absolute value problems you have to separate it into the original equation and then a second equation in which the variable side is changed to a negative.

Example:

 |2x| = 6

Divide into Parts

First Part                                                                                Second Part

 2x = 6                                                                                     -2x = 6

  x = 3                                                                                         x = -3

Example:

 |x - 5| = 3

Divide into Parts

First Part                                                                                Second Part

 x - 5 = 3                                                                                  -x + 5  = 3

  x = 8                                                                                          x = 2

[Calc] [Algebra II Homepage]