# Thread: Absolute Value EQ w/ Fraction

1. ## Absolute Value EQ w/ Fraction

It doesn't seem especially tough but there's not an example in the book and it was on a quiz today. Please note that I did consult the Inequality sticky at the top of the forum but I didn't see one quite like this. I apologize in advance if I missed it.

$3 \mid \frac{\2x-1}{3}\mid -1 \geq2$

My first thought was to multiply everything by the denominator 3 so that:

$3\mid \2x-1\mid -3 \geq6$ Then: add 3 to 6 so that:

$3\mid \2x-1\mid \geq9$ Then: divide by 3 so that:

$2x-1\geq3$ Then: add 1 to both sides so that:

$2x\geq4$ So that...

x is equal to +2 and x is equal to -2

It seemed tidy enough at the time but I have a feeling it's wrong; that maybe I should multiplied 2x-1 by 3 at some point or that I'm remiss in some way or another. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks.

2. ## Re: Absolute Value EQ w/ Fraction

Originally Posted by Trypanosoma
$3 \mid \frac{\2x-1}{3}\mid -1 \geq2$
Simply note that
$3\left|\dfrac{2x-1}{3}\right|=\left|{2x-1}\right|$

3. ## Re: Absolute Value EQ w/ Fraction

Originally Posted by Plato
Simply note that
$3\left|\dfrac{2x-1}{3}\right|=\left|{2x-1}\right|$
A Picard facepalm moment for me... I've also noticed that not multiplying -1 or 2 that my answer still comes out to same. Will that stand up for precisely similar problems?

But what of something like

A. $3\mid \frac{\2x-1}{4}\mid -1\geq 2$

would I then have to go with the LCD of 12 and then have...

$9\mid2x-1\mid -3 \geq6$

Again, thank you so much.

Or does that 3 just get left alone, so that:

$3\mid2x-1\mid -3 \geq6$

And (sorry), would I then divide the right side by the 9 or 3 (depending on which is correct--if correct at all).

4. ## Re: Absolute Value EQ w/ Fraction

Originally Posted by Trypanosoma
A Picard facepalm moment for me... I've also noticed that not multiplying -1 or 2 that my answer still comes out to same. Will that stand up for precisely similar problems?
But what of something like.
I in no way suggested that your solution is wrong.
I just wanted to point that it was awkward.
You should know that $|ab|=|a||b|$.

So your problem quickly simplifies to $|2x-1|\ge 3$.
Thus $2x-1\ge 3\text{ or }2x-1\le -3~.$