1.4 Absolute Values Solving Absolute Value Equations By putting into one of 3 categories
What is the definition of “Absolute Value”? Absolute Value is the distance from 0 on the number line. Mathematically, For example, in, where could x be?
To solve these situations, we will set up 2 “cases” that accurately describe where the inside could be, then solve each. Consider Where could 3x – 2 be?
That was Category 1 Category 1 is used when the absolute value is equal to a number
Absolute Value Inequalities Think logically about another situation. What does mean? For instance, in the equation, where on the number line could x 6 be? x+6
How does that translate into a sentence? Now solve for x. This is Category 2: when x is less than a number
Absolute Value Inequalities What does mean? In the equation, where on the number line could 2x 1 be? x+1
So, or Now solve for x. This is Category 3: when x is greater than or equal to a number
Less than = Leash = Between = And Greater than = Or Note: is the same as ; is the same as ; just have the sign in the rewritten equation match the original.
Examples