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Solving Absolute Value Equations Notes (Day 1)

This document provides notes on solving absolute value equations. It defines absolute value, gives examples of solving simple absolute value equations graphically and algebraically, and provides practice problems for students to solve absolute value equations. Students are instructed to isolate the absolute value expression, consider the possibility of extraneous solutions, and check their work in the original equation. Practice problems include determining if a number is a solution, solving graphically or algebraically, and an application word problem about the weight of a baseball pill.

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859 views3 pages

Solving Absolute Value Equations Notes (Day 1)

This document provides notes on solving absolute value equations. It defines absolute value, gives examples of solving simple absolute value equations graphically and algebraically, and provides practice problems for students to solve absolute value equations. Students are instructed to isolate the absolute value expression, consider the possibility of extraneous solutions, and check their work in the original equation. Practice problems include determining if a number is a solution, solving graphically or algebraically, and an application word problem about the weight of a baseball pill.

Uploaded by

majenkins2012
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Algebra II Notes

Solving Absolute Value Equations (Day 1)

The absolute value of a number x, written |x|, is the


x, if x is positive
distance of a number from zero on a number line. The
|x| = 0, if x=0
formal definitions of absolute value is shown in the box
-x, if x is
to the right.
negative
Solve a simple absolute value equation and interpret the
meaning:

Ex 1 (a) |x| = 3

There are two numbers that have a distance of 3 from zero.


3 3

- 3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

So the solutions to the equation |x| = 3 are and

(b) |x-5| = 7

This equation wants you to find the numbers that have a distance of 7 units from 5.
The value of 7 is referred to as the “tolerance” value. Draw a number line to
find the answers.

Solving an absolute value equation algebraically requires you to rewrite the absolute
value equation as two separate equations (without absolute value) and then
find a solution to each. These algebraic solutions will be the same as the solutions
found by graphing. Notice how the right side of the equation changes but the left
side does not.
Ex 2 Solve: |2x + 7| = 15

Before you set up


Ex 3 (a) 8|x – 3| = 72 the two separate (b) |0.3 – 1.2x| - 2 = -0.7
equations, you
need to make sure
that the absolute
value expression is
isolated.

Ex 4 |3x – 1| + 8 = 0

An absolute value expression


cannot be set equal to a
negative number. There is no
solution

Ex 5 |x – 2| = 2x – 10

When a variable occurs on both


sides of the equation,
extraneous solutions may
occur. You need to check your
answers in the original equation
to verify that both answers
work.
Application:
Ex 6 It is dangerous for body temperature to be more than 8° from the normal 98.6°. At what
temperatures does hypothermia and hyperthermia occur? Write an absolute value
equation for the situation and solve.

Practice:

Directions: Decide whether the given number is a solution to the equation.

1. |d + 6| = 10; -4 2. |17 – 8r| = 15; 4

Directions: Solve the equation using a graphic representation.

3. |f – 5| = 3 3. | n – (-9)| = 4

Directions: Solve the equation.

5. |6 – p| = 4 6. |2d – 5| = 13

7. |20 – 9m| = 7 8. |⅔x – 6| = 12

9. 3|x + 2| = -24 10. 2 - |x+7| = -6

|3−2 x|
11. 4 – 3|x – 2| = -8 12. 5 - 3 =4

Directions: Solve the equation. Be sure to check for extraneous solutions.

13. |x + 24| = -7x 14. |9 – 2x| = 10 + 3x

Application: (Write an absolute value equation for the situation and solve.
15. A baseball has a cushioned cork center called the pill. The pill must weigh 0.85 ounce,
with a tolerance of 0.05 ounce. What is the lowest and highest weight that the pill can
measure?

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