SOLUTION: the equation |x| = -a where A is a positive interger, what can be said about the solution? how would you modify the value of A so that you would have a solution to |x| = -a of +- a

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Absolute-value -> SOLUTION: the equation |x| = -a where A is a positive interger, what can be said about the solution? how would you modify the value of A so that you would have a solution to |x| = -a of +- a      Log On

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Question 211557: the equation |x| = -a where A is a positive interger, what can be said about the solution? how would you modify the value of A so that you would have a solution to |x| = -a of +- a?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(21682) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There is no solution to abs%28x%29=-a where a%3E0 since abs%28x%29 is ALWAYS nonnegative (ie not negative).


In order to make abs%28x%29=-a have the solutions of x=-a or x=a, you need to force 'a' to be negative. So abs%28x%29=-a has the solutions of x=-a or x=a when a%3C0.



Ex: abs%28x%29=-%28-5%29 has the solutions x=-%28-5%29 and x=-5. If you plug in either solution, you get

abs%28-%28-5%29%29=-%28-5%29 ---> abs%285%29=5 ---> 5=5

abs%28-5%29=-%28-5%29 ---> abs%28-5%29=5 ---> 5=5