Absolute value equations

Absolute value equations

An absolute value equation is an equation that contains a variable expression within

absolute value symbols. Remember that the absolute value of a number is its distance
from 0 on a number line.

A solution to an absolute value equation is a value for the variable that makes the
equation true. Absolute value equations can have different numbers of solutions. Look
at the examples below.

• The equation |x| = 3 has two solutions: x = 3 or x = –3. Since 3 and –3 are
both 3 units from 0 on the number line, they both make the equation true
when substituted for x.

• The equation |x| = 0 has one solution: x = 0. Since 0 is the only number that
is 0 units from 0 on the number line, it is the only value that makes the
equation true when substituted for x.

• The equation |x| = –3 has no solution. Since absolute value is a distance, it

cannot be negative. So, there is no value for x that will make the equation
true.

In general, you can follow these rules.

• If |x| = a and a > 0, then x = a or x = –a.

• If |x| = 0, then x = 0.

• If |x| = a and a < 0, then the equation has no solution.

Solving absolute value equations

You can solve absolute value equations using what you know about absolute value and
solving equations.

Absolute value equations with two solutions

If you have an equation in the form |x| = a and a > 0, you can solve for the variable
by splitting the equation into two cases.

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Absolute value equations

• The positive case is x = a.

• The negative case is x = –a.

Let's try it! Solve |x – 3| = 5.

Since 5 > 0, split the equation into two cases. The positive case is x – 3 = 5. The
negative case is x – 3 = –5.

Start by solving the positive case.

x–3=5

Add 3 to both sides.

x=8

Then, solve the negative case.

x – 3 = –5

Add 3 to both sides.

x = –2

So, the solution to |x – 3| = 5 is x = 8 or x = –2.

You can check your solution by substituting the values you got for x into the original
equation.

Check x = 8.

|x – 3| = 5

|8 – 3| = 5

|5| = 5

5=5

Since 5 = 5 is a true statement, x = 8 is a solution.

Check x = –2.

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Absolute value equations

|x – 3| = 5

|–2 – 3| = –5

|–5| = 5

5=5

Since 5 = 5 is a true statement, x = –2 is a solution.

You can think of the equation |x – 3| = 5 as a statement that the distance between x
and 3 is 5 units. So, you can also interpret the equation to mean that x is 5 units away
from 3. If you graph the solutions, x = 8 and x = –2, you will see each solution is 5
units away from 3.

Absolute value equations with one solution

If you have an equation in the form |x| = 0, then x must be equal to 0. If x is replaced
with a more complicated expression, you can solve the equation by setting that
expression equal to 0 and solving for the variable.

Let's try it! Solve |2x + 8| = 0.

Set 2x + 8 equal to 0 and solve.

2x + 8 = 0

Subtract 8 from both sides.

2x = –8

Divide both sides by 2.

x = –4

So, the solution to |2x + 8| = 0 is x = –4. Check your solution.

Check x = –4.

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Absolute value equations

|2x + 8| = 0

2(–4) + 8 = 0

|–8 + 8| = 0

|0| = 0

0=0

Since 0 = 0 is a true statement, x = –4 is the solution.

Absolute value equations with no solution

If you have an equation in the form |x| = a and a < 0, there is no solution.

Let's try it! Solve |5x – 15| = –3.

Since absolute value cannot be negative, there is no value of x that will make |5x – 15|
equal to –3.

So, |5x – 15| = –3 has no solution.

Solving more complicated absolute value equations

Sometimes, an absolute value equation may have numbers outside of the absolute
value symbols. In those situations, you need to simplify the equation before applying
the strategies above.

Let's try it! Solve 3|x + 4| – 5 = 13.

First, isolate |x + 4| on the left side of the equation by using inverse operations.

3|x + 4| – 5 = 13

Add 5 to both sides.

3|x + 4| = 18

Divide both sides by 3.

|x + 4| = 6

Now, you can apply the same strategies as before. Since 6 > 0, split the equation into
two cases. The positive case is x + 4 = 6. The negative case is x + 4 = –6.

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Absolute value equations

Solve the positive case.

x+4=6

Subtract 4 from both sides.

x=2

Next, solve the negative case.

x + 4 = –6

Subtract 4 from both sides.

x = –10

So, the solution to 3|x + 4| – 5 = 13 is x = 2 or x = –10. Check your solution.

Check x = 2.

3|x + 4| – 5 = 13

3|2 + 4| – 5 = 13

3|6| – 5 = 13

3(6) – 5 = 13

18 – 5 = 13

13 = 13

Since 13 = 13 is a true statement, x = 2 is a solution.

Check x = –10.

3|x + 4| – 5 = 13

3|–10 + 4| – 5 = 13

3|–6| – 5 = 13

3(6) – 5 = 13

18 – 5 = 13

13 = 13

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Absolute value equations

Since 13 = 13 is a true statement, x = –10 is a solution.

Absolute value equations with variables on both sides

When you have an absolute value equation with variables on both sides, you can still
solve it by splitting the equation into positive and negative cases. However, you won't
know if the expression without the absolute value is positive, negative, or zero. So,
you'll need to check your solutions to confirm whether each solution you get is correct.

Let's try it! Solve |x + 14| = 3x – 6.

The positive case is x + 14 = 3x – 6. The negative case is x + 14 = –(3x – 6).

Start by solving the positive case.

x + 14 = 3x – 6

Add 6 to both sides.

x + 20 = 3x

Subtract x from both sides.

20 = 2x

Divide both sides by 2.

10 = x

Then, solve the negative case.

x + 14 = –(3x – 6)

Apply the distributive property.

x + 14 = –3x + 6

Subtract 6 from both sides.

x + 8 = –3x

Subtract x from both sides.

8 = –4x

Divide both sides by -4.

–2 = x

So, the possible solutions to |x + 14| = 3x – 6 are x = 10 and x = –2. Check each
solution.

Check x = 10.

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Absolute value equations

|x + 14| = 3x – 6

|10 + 14| = 3(10) – 6

|24| = 30 – 6

24 = 24

Since 24 = 24 is a true statement, x = 10 is a solution.

Check x = –2.

|x + 14| = 3x – 6

|–2 + 14| = 3(–2) – 6

|12| = –6 – 6

12 = –12

Since 12 = –12 is a false statement, x = –2 is not a solution.

Notice that when you substitute x = –2, the right side of the equation is equal to –12.
The left side is an absolute value, and absolute values cannot be negative. That is
another way you can tell that x = –2 is not a solution.

Absolute value equations with absolute values on both sides

If an equation has absolute value symbols on both sides, there are only two ways for
the equation to be true: if the values inside the absolute value symbols are equal or if
they are opposites.

You can solve this type of equation by splitting it into two cases and solving each case
separately. Again, you'll need to check your solutions to ensure that each solution you
get is correct.

Let's try it! Solve |4x + 1| = |2x – 3|.

This equation is true if 4x + 1 is equal to 2x – 3 or if 4x + 1 is the opposite of 2x – 3.

Solve each case.

Start by solving the first case.

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Absolute value equations

4x + 1 = 2x – 3

Subtract 1 from both sides.

4x = 2x – 4

Subtract 2x from both sides.

2x = –4

Divide by 2 on both sides.

x = –2

Then, solve the second case.

4x + 1 = –(2x – 3)

Apply the distributive property.

4x + 1 = –2x + 3

Subtract 1 from both sides.

4x = –2x + 2

Add 2x to both sides.

6x = 2

Divide by 6 on both sides.

x= 2
6

Simplify.
x= 1
3

1
So, the possible solutions to |4x + 1| = |2x – 3| are x = –2 and x = . Check each
3
solution.

Check x = –2.

|4x + 1| = |2x – 3|

4(–2) + 1 = 2(–2) – 3

|–8 + 1| = |–4 – 3|

|–7| = |–7|

7=7

Since 7 = 7 is a true statement, x = –2 is a solution.

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Absolute value equations

1
Check x = .
3

|4x + 1| = |2x – 3|

1 = 1
4 +1 2 –3
3 3

4 = 2
+1 –3
3 3

4 3 = 2 9
+ –
3 3 3 3

7 = –7
3 3

7 = 7
3 3

7 7 1
Since = is a true statement, x = is a solution.
3 3 3

Go to IXL to try some practice problems!

Solve absolute value equations 9LF

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Absolute value equations

Visit IXL for more related skills and lessons!

Skills Lessons

Solve absolute value equations 9LF Absolute value

Graph solutions to absolute value equations KXA Absolute value functions

Absolute value inequalities

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