# How to solve equations with two absolute values and a constant

• January 10th 2009, 05:30 PM
requal
How to solve equations with two absolute values and a constant
How would you solve

$|x+2|+|x-3|=7$
• January 10th 2009, 06:30 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by requal
How would you solve

$|x+2|+|x-3|=7$

recall that for real numbers, $|x|^2 = x^2$

thus, by squaring, we can get rid of the absolute values.

so square both sides, we get:

$(x + 2)^2 + 2|x + 2||x - 3| + (x - 3)^2 = 49$

$\Rightarrow 2|x + 2||x - 3| = 49 - (x + 2)^2 - (x - 3)^2$

now, you can expand and simplify the right hand side, and then square both sides again. you will get a fourth degree polynomial as a result, which might not be too hard to solve. be sure to check for erroneous solutions.

alternatively, take note of what skeeter and i did in your other thread. that is, note the sign changes that the absolute values give rise to, and do all the cases separately.

that is,

case 1: both x + 2 and x - 3 are positive

case 2: both x + 2 and x - 3 are negative

case 3: x + 2 is positive but x - 3 is negative

case 4: x + 2 is negative but x - 3 is positive

choose whichever method you prefer. either will be a pain, but neither should be too difficult

another alternative, which is similar to the first. is to bring one of the absolute value expressions over the equal sign and then square. the algebra will be easier