Algebra II : Absolute Value

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Absolute Value

Solve the equation:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Break up the inequality and write out its positive and negative components.

Solve the first equation.  Subtract 3 from both sides.

Divide both sides by 2.

The first solution is:  

Solve the second equation.  Divide the equation by negative one, which will move the negative sign from left to right.

Subtract three from both sides.

Divide by 2 on both sides.

The second answer is:  

The answers are:  

Example Question #51 : Absolute Value

Solve the equation:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add 40 on both sides of the equation.

Split this absolute value into its positive and negative components.

For the first equation, divide by eight to isolate the x-variable.

The first answer is:  

For the second equation, divide by negative eight on both sides.

The second answer is:  

The answer is:  

Example Question #51 : Absolute Value

Solve the equation:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Add 18 on both sides.

Simplify both sides.

Separate the equation into its positive and negative components and eliminate the absolute value.

Simplify the first equation by dividing both sides by negative nine.

Simplify the second equation.  Double negatives negate, turning the true sign to positive.

Divide by nine on both sides.

The answer is:  

Example Question #51 : Solving Absolute Value Equations

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Whatever is inside the absolute value brackets could either be positive or negative.

Positive:

Negative:

Example Question #52 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, divide both sides by -3:

Whatever is inside the absolute value brackets could be positive or negative. 

Positive:  

Negative:

 

Both of those answers may not work, however, so test both:

 

The only answer that works is -1.

Example Question #53 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, add 7 to both sides:

Whatever is inside the absolute value brackets could either be positive or negative:

 

Example Question #54 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First subtract 7 from both sides:

divide both sides by 2

 

The expression inside the absolute value brackets could be positive or negative.

Positive:

 

Negative:

 

 

Example Question #55 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

No solution

Correct answer:

No solution

Explanation:

The expression inside the absolute value brackets could be either positive or negative.

Positive:

subtract 5 from both sides

subtract 2x from both sides

Negative:

subtract 5 from both sides

add 2x to both sides

divide both sides by 5

 

Now see if either actually works:

 

Neither actually works.

Example Question #59 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, add 3 to both sides:

Either the expression inside the brackets is positive or it is negative.

Positive: subtract 1 from both sides

subtract 2x from both sides

divide both sides by 2

 

Negative: subtract 1 from both sides

add 2x to both sides

divide both sides by 6

 

Now check to be sure both actually work.

 

Both work.

Example Question #56 : Absolute Value

Solve for x:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, multiply both sides by 3:

The expression inside the absolute value brackets could either be positive or negative.

Positive: add 6x to both sides

add 4 to both sides

divide both sides by 7

 

Negative: add 4 to both sides

subtract 6x from both sides

divide both sides by -5

 

Now test to see if both answers actually work.

so 1 does not work.

 

The answer is -0.2

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