SOLUTION: 3 absolute value x - 12= 18. DO you divide 3 first? or do you add 12 first?

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Question 233033: 3 absolute value x - 12= 18. DO you divide 3 first? or do you add 12 first?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


If you mean:

,

Then it really doesn't matter. Divide by 3:



Then add 4:



or
Add 12:



Divide by 3:



Same thing.

On the other hand, if you meant:



Then you need to divide by 3 first, then apply the definition of absolute value, and then add 12 in each of the two resulting equations.

John