SOLUTION: how can you choose the two solutions for an absoulute equation

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Question 813258: how can you choose the two solutions for an absoulute equation
Answer by josgarithmetic(39623) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Look at the two possible conditions of the expression inside the absolute value being negative and of being positive-or zero. Examine the solutions for each of these conditions.

EXAMPLE, abs%28x%2B16%29-11=20.

Examine these possible conditions.

x%2B16%3E=0.
abs%28x%2B16%29=x%2B16.
x%2B16-11=20
x=20-16%2B11
x=15.

x%2B16%3C0.
abs%28x%2B16%29=-%28x%2B16%29.
%28-%28x%2B16%29%29-11=20
-x-16-11=20
-x=20%2B16%2B11
x=-%2820%2B16%2B11%29
x=-47

Put these together. The solution is x=15 OR x=-47
Both of those parts together as combined is the solution.