SOLUTION: How do you know how to graph and solve absolute value equations such as;|x + 5| = 4;|x + 2| > 7;|x + 1| = 2. Thanks

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Question 361651: How do you know how to graph and solve absolute value equations such as;|x + 5| = 4;|x + 2| > 7;|x + 1| = 2.
Thanks
Answer by algebrastudent611(8) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, in order to graph absolute value you typically need 2 points to graph, you would do this by using a COMPOUND SENTENCE. For the first one:
x + 5 = 4 OR x + 5 = -4
next solve these.
x= -1 OR x= -9
Check these numbers.
-1 + 5= 4...correct
-9 + 5 = -4...correct
To graph this absolute value is very simple because you have an equal sign and are using the word OR (as in only 2 possible answers)
create a number line, 0 being the middle. plot -1 and -9 with CLOSED circles. Now, the reason you have closed circles is because you are using the word or and there are only 2 possible answers to complete the compound sentence, as in it is this OR that.
Therefore, to graph this you should have a number line with -1 and -9 plotted with closed circles and no shading because there is no range of numbers, only 2 answers which we plotted.