Thread: Absolute Value Equations

Need help w/ an absolute value problem where a no. is placed outside the equation within the absolute value signs-what should I do first?

Originally Posted by TNB

Need help w/ an absolute value problem where a no. is placed outside the equation within the absolute value signs-what should I do first?

since you chose to be vague, the most i can tell you is that



so you need to split your equation in two to account for the possible change in sign of what's in absolute values.

example.



and continue

It's like your final ex, save there's a number attached to the back end.



somthing like this...... 7

Sorry about the lack of detail. Just trying to speed things up.. Typing wise, anyhow.

Originally Posted by TNB

It's like your final ex, save there's a number attached to the back end.



somthing like this...... 7

Sorry about the lack of detail. Just trying to speed things up.. Typing wise, anyhow.

well, that's no problem. divide both sides by 7 first, you get

|3x - 1| = 2/7

then it is pretty much exactly like my example

In that case, do NOT multiply the 7 with the expression 3x - 1. That'll change the absolute value! Instead, divide 7 on both sides, and then proceed.

|3x - 1| = 2/7

Now proceed...

I hope that helps.

ILoveMaths07.

P.S. THIS IS MY FIRST POST!!!

Originally Posted by ILoveMaths07

P.S. THIS IS MY FIRST POST!!!

congrats!

Much thanks. Couldn't really remember whether to subtract or divide.....

You can't subtract because it's . You must divide the 7 on both sides.