As we have already discovered, Absolute Value represents the distance from zero. And this is easy enough for us to use when we are talking about the absolute value of a number.
Jenn, Founder Calcworkshop®, 15+ Years Experience (Licensed & Certified Teacher)
But what do we do when we have the absolute value of a variable?
We SCAM twice!
In fact, we’re going to learn how to Solve Absolute Value Equations in just three key steps!
How do you solve an equation with an absolute value?
- Get the Absolute Value by itself using our SCAM technique.
- If the Absolute Value equals a positive number, then find the distance from both the left and right side by using SCAM again to obtain two solutions.
- If the Absolute Value equals a negative number, then there is no solution.
Yes, these types of equations will yield two solutions! The distance from the left of zero and the distance from the right of zero.
Absolute Value Equation
What is paramount in solving these kinds of equations is that we are focused on getting the Absolute Value isolated, regardless of what is inside those bars.
Again, the key is to not focus or care about what’s inside those absolute value bars at first, because our sole focus at the beginning is to think of the absolute value bars, and everything inside it, as one big variable, as Cool Math so nicely states.
Once the absolute value bars are by itself, set equal to a positive number, then we can solve and find our two solutions by dropping our absolute value bars, using a really cool trick, and solving for our two answers.
After 13 step-by-step examples, you will easily be able to Solve any Absolute Value Equation.
Absolute Value Problems (How-To) – Video
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