ACT Preparation / Unit 9 ACT 0818 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Absolute Value Equations
Captions available
The idea
The absolute value |x| is the distance from x to 0. An equation |x − a| = b, with b positive, splits into two: x − a = b or x − a = −b.
In practice
|x − 3| = 5 gives x = 8 or x = −2.
Where people slip
If b is negative, there is no solution, because a distance cannot be negative.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for ACT Preparation