(4.

8)Solving
Absolute Value
Equations
 Absolute Value (of x)
• Symbol lxl
• The distance x is from 0 on the
number line.
• Always positive
• Ex: l-3l=3

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
 Ex: x = 5
• What are the possible values of x?

x=5 or x = -5
To solve an absolute value
equation:
ax+b = c

To solve, set up 2 new equations,

then solve each equation.

ax+b = c or ax+b = -c

** make sure the absolute value is

by itself before you split to solve.
Ex: Solve 6x-3 = 15
6x-3 = 15 or 6x-3 = -15
6x = 18 or 6x = -12
x=3 or x = -2

* Plug in answers to check your

solutions!
 Ex: Solve 2x + 7 -3 = 8
Get the abs. value part by itself first!
2x+7 = 11
Now split into 2 parts.
2x+7 = 11 or 2x+7 = -11
2x = 4 or 2x = -18
x = 2 or x = -9
Check the solutions.
 You Try!
Ex: Solve 2x - 3 -4 = 3
• Get the abs. value part by itself first!
• 2x - 3 = 7
• Now split into 2 parts.
• 2x-3 = 7 or 2x-3 = -7
• 2x = 10 or 2x = -4
• x = 5 or x = -2
• Check the solutions.