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Solution - Absolute value equations

Exact form:

x = - \frac{4}{3}

x=-\frac{4}{3}

Mixed number form:

x = - 1 \frac{1}{3}

x=-1\frac{1}{3}

Decimal form:

x = - 1.333

x=-1.333

See steps

Step-by-step explanation

1. Rewrite the equation without absolute value bars

Use the rules:
$| x | = | y |$ → $x = \pm y$ and $| x | = | y |$ → $\pm x = y$
to write all four options of the equation
$| 3 x + 2 | = 3 | x + 2 |$
without the absolute value bars:

$\| x \| = \| y \|$	$\| 3 x + 2 \| = 3 \| x + 2 \|$
$x = + y$	$(3 x + 2) = 3 (x + 2)$
$x = - y$	$(3 x + 2) = 3 (- (x + 2))$
$+ x = y$	$(3 x + 2) = 3 (x + 2)$
$- x = y$	$- (3 x + 2) = 3 (x + 2)$

When simplified, equations $x = + y$ and $+ x = y$ are the same and equations $x = - y$ and $- x = y$ are the same, so we end up with only 2 equations:

$\| x \| = \| y \|$	$\| 3 x + 2 \| = 3 \| x + 2 \|$
$x = + y$ , $+ x = y$	$(3 x + 2) = 3 (x + 2)$
$x = - y$ , $- x = y$	$(3 x + 2) = 3 (- (x + 2))$

2. Solve the two equations for x

7 additional steps

$(3 x + 2) = 3 \cdot (x + 2)$

Expand the parentheses:

$(3 x + 2) = 3 x + 3 \cdot 2$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$(3 x + 2) = 3 x + 6$

Subtract from both sides:

$(3 x + 2) - 3 x = (3 x + 6) - 3 x$

Group like terms:

$(3 x - 3 x) + 2 = (3 x + 6) - 3 x$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$2 = (3 x + 6) - 3 x$

Group like terms:

$2 = (3 x - 3 x) + 6$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$2 = 6$

The statement is false:

$2 = 6$

The equation is false so it has no solution.

16 additional steps

$(3 x + 2) = 3 \cdot (- (x + 2))$

Expand the parentheses:

$(3 x + 2) = 3 \cdot (- x - 2)$

$(3 x + 2) = 3 \cdot - x + 3 \cdot - 2$

Group like terms:

$(3 x + 2) = (3 \cdot - 1) x + 3 \cdot - 2$

Multiply the coefficients:

$(3 x + 2) = - 3 x + 3 \cdot - 2$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$(3 x + 2) = - 3 x - 6$

Add to both sides:

$(3 x + 2) + 3 x = (- 3 x - 6) + 3 x$

Group like terms:

$(3 x + 3 x) + 2 = (- 3 x - 6) + 3 x$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$6 x + 2 = (- 3 x - 6) + 3 x$

Group like terms:

$6 x + 2 = (- 3 x + 3 x) - 6$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$6 x + 2 = - 6$

Subtract from both sides:

$(6 x + 2) - 2 = - 6 - 2$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$6 x = - 6 - 2$

Simplify the arithmetic:

$6 x = - 8$

Divide both sides by :

$\frac{(6 x)}{6} = \frac{- 8}{6}$

Simplify the fraction:

$x = \frac{- 8}{6}$

Find the greatest common factor of the numerator and denominator:

$x = \frac{(- 4 \cdot 2)}{(3 \cdot 2)}$

Factor out and cancel the greatest common factor:

$x = \frac{- 4}{3}$

3. Graph

Each line represents the function of one side of the equation:
$y = | 3 x + 2 |$
$y = 3 | x + 2 |$
The equation is true where the two lines cross.

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Why learn this

We encounter absolute values almost daily. For example: If you walk 3 miles to school, do you also walk minus 3 miles when you go back home? The answer is no because distances use absolute value. The absolute value of the distance between home and school is 3 miles, there or back.
In short, absolute values help us deal with concepts like distance, ranges of possible values, and deviation from a set value.

Solution - Absolute value equations

Step-by-step explanation

1. Rewrite the equation without absolute value bars

2. Solve the two equations for x

3. Graph

Why learn this

Terms and topics

Related links

Solution - Absolute value equations

Step-by-step explanation

1. Rewrite the equation without absolute value bars

2. Solve the two equations for x

3. Graph

Why learn this

Terms and topics

Related links

Latest Related Drills Solved