<PRE><B>Question 24132</B>
&lt;p&gt;I didn&#39;t learn how to solve these until university would you believe! They couldn&#39;t be easier once you know how to deal with them though.&lt;p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;As I&#39;m sure you know, the absolute value function gives you back it&#39;s argument without the sign. So if {{{abs(x)=5}}} then either {{{x=5}}} or {{{-x=5}}}. Applying the same idea to your question 1, we get two equations:&lt;/p&gt;

{{{2(4-4x)+4=3}}}

&lt;p&gt;and&lt;/p&gt;

{{{-2(4-4x)-4=3}}}

&lt;p&gt;Using the super automatic equation solver thingy, we get:&lt;/p&gt;

*[invoke explain_simplification &quot;2(4-4x)+4=3&quot;]

&lt;p&gt;and&lt;/p&gt;

*[invoke explain_simplification &quot;-2(4-4x)-4=3&quot;]

&lt;p&gt;Don&#39;t forget to put your answers back in to check!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Now you know how to do the first problem, have another go at the second one again yourself, but don&#39;t forget the really imporant rule:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;font color=&quot;#ff0000&quot;&gt;When you multiply an inequality by a negative number you must reverse the sign.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;I&#39;ve forgotton to do that far too many times&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Hope that helps&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Kev&lt;/p&gt;</PRE>